Continuous anodic oxidation of azo dye C.I. Acid Red 18 by using PbO2 electrode in aqueous solution was studied. To reach the best conditions of the process, the influence of various operating parameters such as pH, current density, hydraulic retention time (HRT) and dye concentration on the removal rate of chemical oxygen demand (COD) and color, as indexes showing the amount of efficiency, was investigated. The findings showed that, respectively, 99.9% and 80.0% of the dye and COD were removed (at optimized conditions). Mineralization current efficiency results indicated that at the beginning of the reaction mineralization occurred quickly at a low current density, whereas at high amounts the rate of mineralization the efficiency decreased. At the optimum conditions, the majority of COD was removed only with 38.2 kWh/kg COD of energy consumption in 120 min. By controlling HO•/dye concentration ratio via the parameters adjustment, particularly HRT and current density, this system can treat Acid Red 18 well even at high concentrations. Furthermore, the voltammetry study illustrated that electroactive intermediates created during the process were mineralized at current density of 8.6mA/cm2.
