The influence of residence time on the anodic oxidation of phenol

The anodic oxidation of phenol using porous graphite was investigated in th is study. The experiments were designed so that the effect of residence tim e at different currents on phenol oxidation would be elucidated. Phenol rem oval efficiency was a function of the applied current and the residence tim e and was around 50% at a current of 2.0 A and a residence time of 35 min. Phenol removal efficiency was found to increase with the increase in curren t and residence time. An empirical model was developed to predict the effec t of flow rate or residence time and current on the phenol removal efficien cy. Percentage of phenol completely oxidized, measured by the amount of CO2 produced, increased with current and residence time and reached 48% at a c urrent of 2 A and a residence time of 23.3 min. It was found that the pheno l removal rate increases with the decrease in residence time. Maximum curre nt (CO2) efficiencies were achieved at currents of 1.0 and 1.25 A at reside nce times of 35 and 23.3 min, respectively. Residence time was identified a s an important parameter in affecting removal efficiency and complete detox ification of phenol. (C) 2000 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved.