Experimental study on the aluminum aggregate property during the treatment of lightweight oil spills using...

The properties of aggregates significantly affect the demulsification efficiency within the electrocoagulation reactor. This paper aims to explore aggregate properties including the particle size, strength factor (F_s), and recovery factor (F_r). The experiments were carried out using aluminum-aluminum electrodes. The experimental results indicate that breakage time did not change F_s much but was positively correlated with F_r. When the current was increased from 0.75 A to 1.0 A, F_s experienced a decrease of 12.42%, while F_r exhibited an increase of 19.38%. In comparison to pH 9.0, both F_s and F_r demonstrated an increase at pH levels of 2.0 and 10.0. The size of aggregates significantly decreases under rocking conditions simulating offshore environments, while the oil removal rate does not change much. This phenomenon can be attributed to the fact that different initial mean particle sizes have different F_s and F_r. The aggregates |F_s-F_r| were positively correlated with the initial average particle size of the electroflocculated aggregates. The present study offers a crucial theoretical foundation for the growth and regulation of aggregates formed during electrocoagulation treatment of oil spills on the sea surface.Synopsis: This paper is of great theoretical value for understanding the growth and control of EC aggregates to treat offshore light oil spills using the electrocoagulation process.