Electrocoagulation of synthetically prepared waters containing high concentration of NOM using iron cast electrodes

The aim of this investigation is to evaluate the treatability of synthetically prepared water with high concentration of humic substances by electrocoagulation in batch mode using iron cast electrodes. Effects of applied potential, initial humic substance concentration and supporting electrolyte type on humic substance removal efficiency were investigated. NaNO3, Na2SO4 and NaCl were used as supporting electrolyte. Among these supporting electrolytes, Na2SO4 and NaCl have provided high removal efficiencies, whereas in the experiments using NaNO3 as supporting electrolyte have been observed no flock formation. The highest removal rate is obtainable with NaCl as supporting electrolyte. Removal efficiencies for initial humic substance concentration of 500 mg L-1 with NaCl and Na2SO4 equal to 97.95% for 35 min and 92.69% for 70 min, respectively. This behavior of the system has been derived from oxidation products, available in the bulk solution, of chloride ions. When NaCl is used as supporting electrolyte, there is an advantage of providing the disinfection of water, but humic substances and chloride ions are available in the bulk solution with risk of formation undesirable organo-chlorine compounds, so the Na2SO4 is the most favorable supporting electrolyte.