Enhanced-Electrocoagulation For Organic Matter Removal From Surface Drinking Water Sources: Operational Parameters And Energy Consumption

In this study, an Enhanced Electro-Coagulation (En-EC) technique is described for the removal of dissolved organic carbon (DOC) from surface drinking water sources. Assessment of the En-EC technique included investigation of the impacts of operational factors on the organic removal efficiency (R%) and energy consumption (CE). A decision support system for En-EC control was developed, referred to as Water Treatment Control for Electro-Coagulation (WTC-ECoag). Experiments were conducted using two surface water samples with contrasting water qualities. An electrocoagulation (EC) cell equipped with the capability for measuring consumed coulombs (C) during the process was used. Three different sets of experiments were conducted to investigate the impact of process parameters (i.e. the electric current (IEC)¬, the pH during EC process (pHEC), and the coagulant dose) on the R% and CE. The R% was determined during the process based on absorbance at 254 nm (A254). The CE was calculated through the monitoring of the IEC and electric potential during the process. In the IEC impact study, similar R% but different CE results (under constant coagulant dose and pH conditions) were obtained for different applied IEC¬. The investigation of pHEC impact (under constant coagulant dose and IEC conditions) indicated an optimum pHEC of 6 for the process. Investigation of the impact of coagulant dose (under constant pH and IEC conditions) indicated a maximum R% of 73% and 92% for low and high DOC waters, respectively. It is concluded that En-EC has potential as an alternative to conventional dosing processes for enhanced coagulation.