Modeling Study of Aluminum-Based Electrocoagulation System for Wastewater Treatment
Publication: Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 150, Issue 2
Abstract
The effective treatment of wastewater generated from households, communities, and industries is vital for preserving our environment. Chemical treatment, which involves adding coagulant chemicals directly into the wastewater, is the most popular treatment method. However, due to its high operating costs and the issue of secondary contamination, there is a need for an effective method to address these issues. In this study, we investigated the electrocoagulation (EC) system, which is currently undergoing a revival in research due to its promising features, such as low system and operating costs and its environmentally friendly process. We developed two-dimensional unsteady mathematical models supported by Langmuir isotherm theory to elucidate the underlying physics of the aluminum-based EC process and to understand key control parameters. The developed model was used to analyze the effects of EC cell geometry and operating conditions on the local distribution of intermediate ionic species and their impact on the adsorption behaviors of EC-generated coagulants on arsenic pollutants in the wastewater for the first time. It was found that a higher removal rate was achieved as the EC treatment time and current intensity increased, while the cell gap and inflow rate decreased. Applying the current-off condition during the EC process was found to be an efficient method for increasing the removal rate with less consumption of electrical energy.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, or code that support the findings of this study are available from the corresponding author upon reasonable request.
Acknowledgments
This research was partially supported by the Illinois Space Grant Consortium (Award No. 099286-17926).
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Information
Published In
Journal of Environmental Engineering
Volume 150 • Issue 2 • February 2024
Copyright
© 2023 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 17, 2023
Accepted: Sep 12, 2023
Published online: Nov 22, 2023
Published in print: Feb 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Apr 22, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Aluminum (chemical)
- Benefit cost ratios
- Business management
- Chemical compounds
- Chemical elements
- Chemical processes
- Chemical treatment
- Chemical wastes
- Chemicals
- Chemistry
- Coagulation
- Cooling (wastewater treatment)
- Environmental engineering
- Financial management
- Heavy metals
- Industrial wastes
- Municipal wastewater
- Pollutants
- Practice and Profession
- Solid wastes
- Waste management
- Waste treatment
- Wastes
- Wastewater management
- Wastewater treatment
- Water treatment
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