Degradation of Waste Milk by Electrochemical Oxidation Using Metal Oxide Anode

Abstract

Electrochemical oxidation of waste milk was investigated in this study. Since waste milk contains biologically persistent matters such as milk fat, it is difficult to apply biological treatment for waste milk. Electrochemical treatment is considered as one of the advanced oxidation processes. We discussed the effect of anode materials on degradability of organic matters in waste milk. The concentration of COD of diluted raw milk was decreased 34% or 87% by electrochemical treatment using DSA or Ti/PbO2 anode. Ti/PbO₂ anode was superior in the degradation of raw milk than DSA. It was indicated that lactose and milk fat in waste milk was degraded by electrogenerated oxidants, which adsorbed on Ti/PbO₂ anode. The COD removal of casein by electrochemical oxidation using Ti/PbO₂ was much lower compared to lactose. The result suggested that electrochemical treatment using a Ti/PbO₂ anode was suitable for the treatment of waste milk.