Electrocoagulation with bipolar iron electrodes for trivalent chromium removal from synthetic wastewater

Abstract EN

The aim of this study is to investigate the performance of batch electro coagulation (EC) using iron electrodes with bipolar configuration for simultaneous removal of chromium (Cr3+) from synthetic wastewater.

The influences of current density (from 2 to 25 mA/cm2 ), initial metal concentration (from 100 to 250 mg/L) and supporting electrolyte (0-12 mmol/L Na2SO4) on removal efficiency are explored in a batch stirred cell to determine the best experimental conditions.

The results indicate that EC was very efficient to remove Cr3+ from the synthetic wastewater having an initial concentration of 250 mg/L of Cr3+ under the best experimental conditions.

At the current density of 15 mA/cm2 with a total energy consumption of ∼18.5 kWh/m3 , more than 98.7% removal value was achieved for Cr3+ after 20 min EC treatment.

Time of 20 minutes EC treatment was chosen as optimum time to gain less than 4 mg Fe/L in the treated water