Electrocoagulation Process: A Mechanistic Review at the Dawn of its Modeling

Abstract

During the two last decades, electrocoagulation method (EC) was the focus of many industrial applications and remains a fascinating domain of research. Most published researches concern uses in treating potable water and wastewaters to increase both the removal of dissolved and undissolved contamination. Significant achievements have been realized comprising participations to fundamental comprehension, electrode metals, working parameters, device conception, and economic aspects determinations. Despite the fact that there are several benefits mentioned through the specialized references, the EC large-scale use is not until now viewed as a recognized wastewater technique due to the absence of viable models used in designing device. The present review discusses the mechanisms involved in the EC process and opens a broad perspective on its modeling. The scientific community is near to suggest empirical/theoretical models to present the EC technology as a viable green process. However, more great efforts remain to be accomplished. Technological software developers such as COMSOL™ Multiphysics are invited to insert the EC process in their electrochemistry module to better commercialize this intensified technique and encourage its massive use through the world.

Virus Removal by Electrocoagulation and Electrooxidation: New Findings and Future Trends

“…Following the current intensity as a function of applied voltage variation and the pertinent literature, three mechanisms have been proposed for acid, neutral and alkaline pH [49][50][51]. For pH 2, Mechanism #1 explains Fe(OH) 2(s) formation; for pH 7, Mechanism #2 concerns both the varieties Fe(OH) 2(s) and Fe(OH) 3(s) production; and for pH 12, Mechanism #3 is characterized by Fe(OH) 3(s) apparition (Table 1).…”

“…EC mechanisms using Fe (pH 2, 7 and 12) and Al (pH 7) electrodes[49][50][51] Ghernaout D (2019). Virus Removal by Electrocoagulation and Electrooxidation: New Findings and Future Trends.…”

Treatment of industrial electroplating wastewater for metals removal via electrocoagulation continous flow reactors

“…Electroplating industrial activities are among the major pollutants to the environment and waterways (Abdel-Shafy 2015; Ghernaout et al 2019). Such activities led to the formation of hazardous wastewater associated with toxic heavy metals that threaten the environment and the aquatic lives (El-Bahy et al 2005).…”

“…Electrocoagulation technology (EC) is an emerging process for the treatment of water and wastewater that proves a successful handling of both organic and inorganic pollutants (Ghernaout et al 2019). The technique requires limited amount of chemicals and involves the dissolution of a sacrificial anode that produces metal hydroxide as active and strong coagulant (Abdel-Shafy et al 2002).…”

Strategies for Reducing Disinfection By-Products Formation during Electrocoagulation

“…Further, it is more efficient in separating suspended solids and organic matters than traditional coagulation [33]- [38]. With a large success, the EC technology has been implemented to remedying leachate thanks to its capacity of eliminating both color [39], turbidity [40], and a set of pollutants in the complicate leachate [41] [42] [43] [44]. For instance, it was noted that the EC technique could attain almost 70% of the decolorization in landfill leachate employing stainless steel as the electrodes below the situation of 10 V and 120-min reaction time [43].…”