Pollution Research Paper

PERFORMANCE EVALUATION OF ELECTRO-COAGULATION SYSTEM FOR THE TREATMENT OF DOMESTIC WASTEWATER

REVAN M. AKHADE AND RAVINDRA W. GAIKWAD

Abstract

Domestic wastewater makes an 80% of share out of total wastewater generated in India. The domestic wastewater generated can be treated by using different techniques based on principles of physical, chemical, biological and electrical treatment which should allow either its reuse or direct disposal. In the present study, efficiency of electro-coagulation system for treating domestic wastewater is assessed w.r.t COD, turbidity and TDS removal by varying detention time, current density and spacing between plate electrodes. The experiments were conducted with a combination of detention time of 5 min, 10 min, 15 min and 20 min, current density of 15 A/m2, 30A/m2, 45A/m2, 60A/m2, 75A/m2 and 90A/m2 and plate electrode spacing of 30 mm, 20 mm and 10mm. For batch EC process using D.C supply through electricity, the observed removal efficiencies for COD, Turbidity and TDS removal were 91%, 92% and 62% respectively at optimum operating parameters for EC, i.e. current density of 45 A/m2 , detention time of 20 min and electrode plate spacing of 10mm. It is also observed that, the COD, turbidity and TDS removal efficiency increases as the spacing between plate electrodes decreases. In order to get optimum pH for maximum removal efficiency, the pH was varied from 4 to 10. The pH range of 6.5 to 8 was seen to be optimum for the highest removal efficiency. The pH of domestic wastewater was observed to be within optimum range throughout the study period, hence there is no need to adjust pH at any stage of the EC process. EC process using D.C supply through electricity is found to be significantly effective in treating domestic wastewater.