Feasibility assessment of electrocoagulation towards a new sustainable wastewater treatment

By CostBenefit on Dec 26, 2007 | In Water, Europe, Academic Study/Journal Article, Waste & Recycling, Costs and Benefits | Send feedback »

Link: http://www.springerlink.com/content/28801600066879m8/

Abstract:
Background, Aim and Scope Electrocoagulation (EC) may be a potential answer to environmental problems dealing with water reuse and rational waste management. The aim of this research was to assess the feasibility of EC-process for industrial contaminated effluents from copper production, taking into consideration technical and economical factors. EC-technology claims to offer efficient removal rates for most types of wastewater impurities at low power consumption and without adding any precipitating agents.
Materials and Methods Real wastewater from Saraka stream with high concentrations of heavy metals was provided by RTB-BOR, a Serbian copper mining and smelting complex. Runs were performed on a 10 1 EC-reactor using aluminum plates as sacrificial electrodes and powered by a 40 A supply unit. Results concerning key factors like pH, conductivity and power consumption were measured in real time. Analysis of dissolved metal concentrations before and after treatment were carried out via ICP-OES and confirmed by an independent test via AAS.
Results Several aspects were taken into account, including current density, conductivity, interfacial resistivity and reactor settings throughout the runs, in order to analyze all possible factors playing a role in neutralization and metal removal in real industrial wastewater.
Discussion Electrode configurations and their effects on energy demand were discussed and exemplified based on fundamentals of colloidal and physical chemistry.
Conclusions Based on experimental data and since no precipitating agents were applied, the EC-process proved to be not only feasible and environmentally-friendly, but also a cost-effective technology.
Recommendations and Perspectives The EC-technology provides strategic guidelines for further research and development of sustainable water management processes. However, additional test series concerning continuous operation must be still performed in order to get this concept ready for future large-scale applications.

Keywords: Aqueous chemistry, electrocoagulation, energy demand, metals removal, sustainability, wastewater treatment

by Jackson Rodriguez 1, Srećko Stopić 1, Gregor Krause 2 and Bernd Friedrich 1
1. Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling IME, RWTH Aachen University, Intzestr. 3, 52056 Aachen, Germany; Email: JRodriguez@ime-aachen.de
2. Electrical Engineering and Information Technology, FH Aachen University, Eupenerstr. 70, 52066 Aachen, Germany

Environmental Science and Pollution Research via Ecomed Verlagsgesellschaft mbH (Springer Publishing) www.SpringerLink.com
Volume 14, Number 7; November, 2007; Pages 477-482
DOI: 10.1065/espr2007.05.424
http://www.springerlink.com/content/28801600066879m8/