Removal of phosphorus from trickling filter effluent by electrocoagulation
1a Cranfield Water Science Institute, Cranfield University , Cranfield , Bedfordshire MK43 OAL , UK.
Environmental Technology
|September 23, 2014
Summary
Electrocoagulation (EC) shows promise for removing phosphorus from wastewater, but requires higher iron doses and costs than conventional methods. Further optimization is needed for EC to be a cost-effective alternative.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Engineering
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Electrochemistry
Background:
- Stricter environmental regulations necessitate advanced wastewater treatment methods.
- Phosphorus (P) discharge from municipal wastewater poses a significant environmental concern.
- Conventional chemical dosing for P removal faces limitations.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate a continuous electrocoagulation (EC) system for municipal wastewater P removal.
- To optimize EC parameters (current, electrode spacing, contact time) for iron dosing.
- To compare EC performance against conventional ferric dosing.
Main Methods:
- A continuous scale electrocoagulation (EC) system was utilized.
- Process optimization involved varying electrical current, electrode spacing, and reactor contact time.
- Jar testing was employed for direct comparison with conventional ferric dosing.
Main Results:
- EC achieved P removal to meet the 1 mg L⁻¹ consent at 154 mg L⁻¹ Fe.
- EC provided significant removal of chemical oxygen demand (86%) and biological oxygen demand (82%).
- EC required approximately double the iron dose compared to conventional dosing and was double the cost.
Conclusions:
- Electrocoagulation can effectively remove phosphorus from municipal wastewater.
- Current EC implementation is not cost-competitive with conventional ferric chloride dosing.
- Further research and optimization are required to improve the economic feasibility of EC for P removal.
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