Technical Papers
Nov 14, 2017

Field Testing of a Small-Scale Continuous-Flow Wastewater Electrodisinfection Unit Using Direct Current

Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 144, Issue 1

Abstract

This paper describes field testing of a small-scale, continuous-flow electrodisinfection reactor assembled with four IrO2-coated titanium plates and operated in bipolar mode using direct current, installed at the Marrero wastewater treatment plant in Marrero, Louisiana. The objective of this testing was to demonstrate the technical feasibility of replacing the current wastewater-effluent hypochlorination process with this new disinfection technology. Bacterial inactivation and chlorine production were the main parameters recorded. The experiments reported in this study demonstrate that the electrodisinfection process can meet and exceed 5-log coliform removal in a short contact time, thereby proving to be efficient enough to be considered as an alternative to chlorination in wastewater treatment facilities. Optimum operational conditions for fluid retention time, and volumetric current density and rate, were stablished from the experimental results. The following design recommendations summarize these findings: retention time of 5±0.3  min, minimum volumetric current density of 1,000  A/m3, and minimum volumetric current rate of 80  A·h/m3. Implementation of these operational conditions in the field yielded excellent disinfection efficiencies and low chlorine residual production.

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Acknowledgments

Jefferson Parish Department of Sewerage provided funding to conduct the experiments described in this study. The unconditional support and assistance provided by the Marrero Wastewater Treatment Plant Superintendent, Mr. Ronald Huffman, is gratefully acknowledged.

References

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Information & Authors

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Published In

Go to Journal of Environmental Engineering
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 144Issue 1January 2018

History

Received: Jun 16, 2016
Accepted: Jul 5, 2017
Published online: Nov 14, 2017
Published in print: Jan 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Apr 14, 2018

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Authors

Affiliations

Enrique J. La Motta, Ph.D. [email protected]
P.E.
Edward G. Schlieder Urban Waste Management and Research Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr., Room 815 Engineering Bldg., New Orleans, LA 70148 (corresponding author). E-mail: [email protected]
Guillermo J. Rincón, Ph.D.
Assistant Professor, Dept. of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Univ. of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr., Room 817 Engineering Bldg., New Orleans, LA 70148.
Luis Enrique De Grau
Assistant Professor, Escuela Superior Politécnica del Litoral, Gustavo Galindo Campus, Km. 30.5 Vía Perimetral, Guayaquil, Ecuador.
Kim D. Jovanovich
P.E.
Assistant Dean, College of Engineering, Univ. of New Orleans, 2000 Lakeshore Dr., Room 841 Engineering Bldg., New Orleans, LA 70148.

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