Electro-coagulation as an Efficient Method for Wastewater Treatment
Author : Aditya V Gaud, Naeem R Shaikh, Ashrat S Gaikwad, Sonali S Hendre, Prajakta S Kamble, Pravina B Piste and Umesh S Shelke
Abstract :
Electro-coagulation (EC) is an advanced electrochemical treatment technique increasingly applied for the removal of pollutants from industrial and municipal wastewater. In this process, coagulant metal ions are generated in situ through the anodic dissolution of sacrificial electrodes, commonly iron or aluminum, under the application of direct current. These metal ions undergo hydrolysis to form metal hydroxides, which effectively destabilize and aggregate a wide range of contaminants, including suspended solids, heavy metals, emulsified oils, dyes, phosphates, pathogens, and organic compounds.
Electro coagulation integrates the mechanisms of coagulation, flocculation, flotation, and electrochemical oxidation within a single treatment unit, thereby eliminating the need for external chemical coagulants. Compared to conventional chemical coagulation, EC offers several advantages such as higher pollutant removal efficiency, effective treatment of highly colored and turbid wastewater, improved removal of colloidal particles, and reduced sludge production.
The performance of the EC process is strongly influenced by operational parameters including electrode material, current density, pH, solution conductivity, and treatment duration. Electrocoagulation has been successfully employed in the treatment of textile effluents, metal plating wastewater, oil- and grease-laden wastewater, pharmaceutical effluents, municipal sewage, and landfill leachate. Recent studies have also demonstrated enhanced treatment efficiency through the integration of EC with membrane filtration and other advanced processes.
Keywords :
Electrocoagulation, wastewater treatment, pollutant removal, electrochemical process.
