Electrocoagulation Process for Treatment of Detergent and Phosphate

Background & Aims of the Study: Detergent and phosphate are one of the main and vital threats (eutrophication phenomenon and production of synthetic foam) for the source of drinking water, agriculture and industrial uses in the Ahvaz, Iran that threaten human health. The aim of this study is evaluate to efficiency of the electrocoagulation (EC) process in the removal of detergent and phosphate from car wash effluent.
In this experimental study in a laboratory scale we used a glass tank with a volume of 2-4 liters (effective volume of 2 liters) containing 4 electrode-plate iron and aluminum (AL-AL, AL-Fe, Fe-Fe). Using a bipolar method to convert alternative electricity to direct current, electrodes were connected to a power supply. Daily samples were collected from different car wash sewage. Initial PHs of samples was from 7 to 9. At first, different tests were performed on primary samples. Reaction times were set for 90, 60, 30 minutes with middle intervals of 2 cm.
According to result this study, percentage of phosphate removal in the EC with Al-Fe electrode with an optimum pH = 7 have been from 34 % phosphate removal (in the 10 Volt) to 78% phosphate removal (in the 30 Volt). Percentage of detergent removal in the EC with AL electrode with an optimum pH = 7 have been from 68 % detergent removal (in the 10 Volt) to 94% detergent removal (in the 30 Volt).
Altogether it was found that this method can be used as a confident and convenient method for treating car wash effluent and according to the highest removal efficiency of the process, effluent can be discharged safely into the environment.