Large-scale removal of colloidal contaminants from artisanal wastewater by bipolar electrocoagulation with aluminum sacrificial electrodes

Abstract

The large-scale removal of colloidal contaminants from artisanal activities was conducted through optimized bipolar electrocoagulation with lower energy consumption and aluminum sacrificial electrodes. As a result, over 90% simultaneous removal of total chromium, phosphorus, chemical oxygen demand and turbidity contents was achieved for relative short time (10–30 min), neutral pH of 7.0–7.5 and minimized current density. By optimization of the applied electrochemical parameters the elimination of carcinogenic colloidal chromium and organic mixture was modeled in a reproducible manner, and the reached purification levels of the effluents were acceptable for their reuse in the household. The practical usage of reported electrocoagulation design was successfully demonstrated as an effective alternative of the current conventional method for treatment of the tanning, domestic and artisanal industrial wastewater in Fez city, Morocco.

Keywords

• Colloidal contaminants
• Artisanal wastewater
• Bipolar electrocoagulation