The future for electrocoagulation as a localised water treatment technology

Holt, PK; Barton, GW; Mitchell, CA

The future for electrocoagulation as a localised water treatment technology

Holt, PK Barton, GW Mitchell, CA

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Publication Type:: Journal Article
Citation:: Chemosphere, 2005, 59 (3), pp. 355 - 367
Issue Date:: 2005-01-01

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Field	Value	Language
dc.contributor.author	Holt, PK	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Barton, GW	en_US
dc.contributor.author	Mitchell, CA https://orcid.org/0000-0001-9842-540X	en_US
dc.date.available	2004-10-19	en_US
dc.date.issued	2005-01-01	en_US
dc.identifier.citation	Chemosphere, 2005, 59 (3), pp. 355 - 367	en_US
dc.identifier.issn	0045-6535	en_US
dc.identifier.uri	http://hdl.handle.net/10453/606
dc.description.abstract	Electrocoagulation is an electrochemical method of treating polluted water whereby sacrificial anodes corrode to release active coagulant precursors (usually aluminium or iron cations) into solution. Accompanying electrolytic reactions evolve gas (usually as hydrogen bubbles) at the cathode. Electrocoagulation has a long history as a water treatment technology having been employed to remove a wide range of pollutants. However electrocoagulation has never become accepted as a 'mainstream' water treatment technology. The lack of a systematic approach to electrocoagulation reactor design/operation and the issue of electrode reliability (particularly passivation of the electrodes over time) have limited its implementation. However recent technical improvements combined with a growing need for small-scale decentralised water treatment facilities have led to a re-evaluation of electrocoagulation. Starting with a review of electrocoagulation reactor design/operation, this article examines and identifies a conceptual framework for electrocoagulation that focuses on the interactions between electrochemistry, coagulation and flotation. In addition detailed experimental data are provided from a batch reactor system removing suspended solids together with a mathematical analysis based on the 'white water' model for the dissolved air flotation process. Current density is identified as the key operational parameter influencing which pollutant removal mechanism dominates. The conclusion is drawn that electrocoagulation has a future as a decentralised water treatment technology. A conceptual framework is presented for future research directed towards a more mechanistic understanding of the process. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.	en_US
dc.relation.ispartof	Chemosphere	en_US
dc.relation.isbasedon	10.1016/j.chemosphere.2004.10.023	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Meteorology & Atmospheric Sciences	en_US
dc.subject.classification	Environmental Sciences	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Water Purification	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Electrochemistry	en_US
dc.subject.mesh	Models, Chemical	en_US
dc.title	The future for electrocoagulation as a localised water treatment technology	en_US
dc.type	Journal Article
utslib.citation.volume	3	en_US
utslib.citation.volume	59	en_US
utslib.for	0904 Chemical Engineering	en_US
pubs.embargo.period	Not known	en_US
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/DVC (Research)/Institute For Sustainable Futures
pubs.organisational-group	/University of Technology Sydney/Strength - ISF - Institute for Sustainable Futures
utslib.copyright.status	closed_access
pubs.issue	3	en_US
pubs.publication-status	Published	en_US
pubs.volume	59	en_US

Abstract:

Electrocoagulation is an electrochemical method of treating polluted water whereby sacrificial anodes corrode to release active coagulant precursors (usually aluminium or iron cations) into solution. Accompanying electrolytic reactions evolve gas (usually as hydrogen bubbles) at the cathode. Electrocoagulation has a long history as a water treatment technology having been employed to remove a wide range of pollutants. However electrocoagulation has never become accepted as a 'mainstream' water treatment technology. The lack of a systematic approach to electrocoagulation reactor design/operation and the issue of electrode reliability (particularly passivation of the electrodes over time) have limited its implementation. However recent technical improvements combined with a growing need for small-scale decentralised water treatment facilities have led to a re-evaluation of electrocoagulation. Starting with a review of electrocoagulation reactor design/operation, this article examines and identifies a conceptual framework for electrocoagulation that focuses on the interactions between electrochemistry, coagulation and flotation. In addition detailed experimental data are provided from a batch reactor system removing suspended solids together with a mathematical analysis based on the 'white water' model for the dissolved air flotation process. Current density is identified as the key operational parameter influencing which pollutant removal mechanism dominates. The conclusion is drawn that electrocoagulation has a future as a decentralised water treatment technology. A conceptual framework is presented for future research directed towards a more mechanistic understanding of the process. © 2004 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.

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http://hdl.handle.net/10453/606