A Taguchi-Based Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Electrocoagulation Use of Aluminum Electrodes for Laundry Wastewater Treatment

Environmental Engineering

Authors

  • Anjasmoro Politeknik Negeri Samarinda
  • Faris Achmad Parmadi Politeknik Negeri Samarinda
  • Amalia Wulandari Politeknik Negeri Samarinda
  • Rafa Hasna Aurelia Politeknik Negeri Samarinda
  • Erinda Aulia Valentine Politeknik Negeri Samarinda
  • Zainal Arifin Politeknik Negeri Samarinda

Keywords:

electrocoagulation, Waste Management, aluminum, microfiber, sono-electrocoagulation, electrode, taguchi

Abstract

Sono-electrocoagulation (SEC) has emerged as an effective and eco-friendly hybrid process for the treatment of laundry wastewater containing surfactants and microfibers. In this research, the Taguchi experimental design (L9 orthogonal array) was employed to optimize the operating parameters of the SEC process using aluminum electrodes. The factors investigated were electrocoagulation time (10, 20, and 30 min) and electrode distance (2, 3, and 4 cm). The response variables considered were the percentage removal of surfactants and microfibers, analyzed using the larger-is-better signal-to-noise ratio criterion. The results demonstrated that the sono-electrocoagulation process significantly reduced the concentration of pollutants. The surfactant concentration decreased from 3.46 mg/L to 0.334 mg/L, while the microfiber weight decreased from 0.096 g to 0.011 g. The Taguchi optimization revealed that the optimum operating condition occurred at an electrocoagulation time of 30 minutes and an electrode distance of 3 cm, achieving 90.35% surfactant removal and 88.54% microfiber removal. Based on the analysis of variance, the most influential factor on pollutant removal efficiency was electrode distance, followed by electrocoagulation time. This research highlights the potential of the Taguchi-based optimization approach to improve sono-electrocoagulation performance in laundry wastewater treatment, demonstrating its ability to effectively eliminate both chemical and physical pollutants.

Downloads

Download data is not yet available.

Author Biography

Zainal Arifin, Politeknik Negeri Samarinda

supervisor

References

Al-Busafi, M., & Al-Shafouri, A. (2021). Synthesis and characterization of aluminum- based coagulants for wastewater treatment. Journal of Environmental Chemical Engineering, 9(5), 105623. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jece.2021.105623

Asaithambi, P., Matheswaran, M., & Balaji, G. (2024). Ultrasound-assisted electrocoagulation for textile and laundry wastewater: Process optimization and mechanism insight. Separation and Purification Technology, 354, 124127. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.seppur.2024.124127

Atesci, Z., & Inan, H. (2023). Hybrid electrocoagulation–ultrasonic treatment of detergent wastewater. Environmental Technology & Innovation, 29, 103215. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.eti.2023.103215

Fontana, F., Tatti, R., & Magnani, A. (2020). Occurrence and fate of surfactants and microfibers in laundry wastewater. Environmental Pollution, 259, 113913. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envpol.2020.113913

Ghadami, A., Yousefi, N., & Maleki, A. (2024). Performance of aluminum-based electrocoagulation for removal of organic pollutants: Mechanisms and design insights. Journal of Water Process Engineering, 62, 104751. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jwpe.2024.104751

Hussein, M. A., Omar, M. F., & Alwan, A. S. (2024). Hybrid ultrasonic–electrocoagulation treatment of greywater using aluminum electrodes: Parametric optimization. Chemosphere, 350, 140625. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.chemosphere.2024.140625

Iskandar, S., Rahman, F., & Yunita, D. (2021). Electrocoagulation treatment of domestic wastewater using aluminum electrodes. Environmental Research and Technology, 4(2), 89–98. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envres.2021.111234

Lapointe, M., Gaspéri, J., & Tassin, B. (2020). Microplastic and microfiber pollution in urban effluents: Current state and challenges. Environmental Science & Technology, 54(14), 8709–8724. https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.est.0c01223

Liu, S., Zhao, L., & Zhou, Q. (2024). Toxicological impacts of microfibers and surfactants on aquatic organisms. Science of the Total Environment, 906, 167814. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2023.167814

Luu, T. T., Pham, H. T., & Dang, N. T. (2025). Coagulation and adsorption hybrid system for laundry wastewater treatment. Environmental Technology, 46(3), 246–257. https://doi.org/10.1080/09593330.2024.2404215

Mohd, S., Rahman, M. A., & Alhassan, S. (2024). Aluminum-based electrocoagulation process for greywater treatment: A mechanistic and optimization study. Environmental Advances, 15, 100485.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.envadv.2024.100485

Praful, D., Kumar, R., & Singh, S. (2025). Optimization of electrocoagulation parameters for dye and surfactant removal using Taguchi method. Journal of Environmental Management, 360, 121784. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2025.121784

Prasetyo, R., Wulandari, A., & Setiawan, D. (2023). Surfactant removal using aluminum– graphite electrode system: Electrochemical behavior and mechanism analysis. Journal of Environmental Science and Sustainable Development, 6(4), 201–211. https://doi.org/10.7454/jessd.2023.004

Rahman, M. A., Ismail, Z., & Omar, M. (2022). Characterization of electrocoagulation sludge and FTIR analysis of aluminum hydroxide flocs. Separation Science and Technology, 57(14), 2324–2335. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2022.2035126

Volgare, M., Ricci, G., & Pini, R. (2022). Gravimetric quantification of microfibers in laundry wastewater. Journal of Cleaner Production, 343, 131049.

https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jclepro.2022.131049

Wulandari, A., Prasetyo, R., & Arifin, Z. (2023). Evaluation of hybrid electrochemical– ultrasonic systems for laundry wastewater treatment. Indonesian Journal of Environmental Technology, 12(2), 59–70.

Published

2025-12-30

How to Cite

Anjasmoro, Parmadi, F. A., Wulandari, A., Aurelia , R. H., Valentine, E. A., & Arifin, Z. (2025). A Taguchi-Based Optimization of Ultrasound-Assisted Electrocoagulation Use of Aluminum Electrodes for Laundry Wastewater Treatment: Environmental Engineering. Al-Kimia, 13(2). Retrieved from https://journal.uin-alauddin.ac.id/index.php/al-kimia/article/view/62380

Issue

Section

Article