Electrocoagulation Combined with the Use of an Intermittently Aerating Bioreactor to enhance Phosphorus Removal

Abstract

Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), nitrogen, and phosphorus were treated with the use of an intermittently aerating bioreactor combined with electrocoagulation. Experiments consisting of batch reactor tests were conducted to identify the most efficient electrode material and the best condition for electrolysis so that the current density would not impede the biological treatment. The operating conditions needed when using an intermittently aerating bioreactor combined with electrocoagulation to enhance phosphorus removal were also identified. Iron was found to be more efficient than aluminum as an electrode material in terms of electricity requirement. When electrocoagulation was conducted and an intermittently aerating bioreactor was used, the electrolysis of the iron electrode in the aerobic stage was observed to be more favorable compared to continuous electrolysis. Sludge rise occurred at the current density of 5.7 mA cm(-2), and lysis of cell at 11.2 mA cm(-2). The applicable current density was found to be less than 4 mA cm(-2). Based on the results of this study, it can be concluded that the use of an intermittently aerating bioreactor combined with electrocoagulation enhances phosphorus removal in sewage treatment plants.

Phosphorus Removal from Wastewater in Johkasou Sewage Treatment Tank by Electro-coagulation

“…At the same time, diffusion was accelerated by means of the aeration that kept the reaction system in a strong turbulent state. Probability of ion contact with phosphate increased, and phosphorus removal was accelerated [12]. When the electrolysis times were15, 30 and 60 mins, the average removal rates were 69.0%, 80.7%and93.3%, respectively.…”

Coupling biofiltration process and electrocoagulation using magnesium-based anode for the treatment of landfill leachate

“…Even though, the combination of biological and electrocoagulation processes for landfill leachate treatment has been rarely reported in the literature, however, it has been tested for the treatment of different types of effluents such as bleaching effluent (Antony and Natesan, 2012), grey water (Bani-Melhem and Smith, 2012), industrial effluents (Moises et al, 2010), municipal wastewater (Stafford et al, 2014) and synthetic wastewater (Yu et al, 2006). In these studies, satisfactory results were obtained in terms of organic matters, suspended solids and phosphorus removal.…”

Electrode effects on temporal changes in electrolyte pH and redox potential for water treatment

“…electrolysis is an important electrochemical treatment process, and has been extensively studied for the electrocoagulation treatment of different types of wastewater, such as dairy wastewater [26] and the effluents containing phenol compounds, [27] nitrogen and phosphorus, [28] and mercury(II). [29] Although many examples using iron electrolysis can be found in the literatures, the information regarding the chemical changes of the electrolyte as a function of electrode types, background electrolyte, current intensity and polarity configuration is rarely reported.…”