Optimization of electrocoagulation process parameters for enhancing phosphate removal in a biofilm-electrocoagulation...

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Water Treatment Engineering

Background:

• Phosphate removal from rural sewage is crucial for preventing eutrophication.
• Existing methods may have limitations in efficiency and cost-effectiveness.

Purpose of the Study:

• To enhance phosphate removal from synthetic rural sewage.
• To investigate the combined efficacy of continuous electrocoagulation (EC) and biofilm processes.
• To optimize operating parameters for maximum phosphate removal efficiency.

Main Methods:

• An integrated system combining a biofilm process with continuous electrocoagulation (EC) was developed.
• Box-Behnken design (BBD) and response surface methodology (RSM) were employed for parameter optimization.
• Key parameters investigated included inter-electrode distance, current density, and reaction time.

Main Results:

• The integrated system demonstrated stable effluent quality (pH, DO, SS, COD).
• Optimal conditions achieved 90.24% phosphate removal efficiency.
• Periodic polarity switching in EC mode further enhanced removal by 10.10% and reduced costs.

Conclusions:

• The combination of biofilm processing and electrocoagulation is a valid and feasible method for phosphate removal.
• Optimized EC parameters significantly improve phosphate removal efficiency in rural wastewater.
• The integrated system offers a cost-effective solution for wastewater treatment.