OPTIMIZATION OF PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL FROM PHOSPHATE-CONTAMINATED WATER BY ELECTROCOAGULATION USING ALUMINUM AND IRON PLATE ELECTRODES.

In this study, a system of electrocoagulation (EC) has been applied for the treatment of phosphate-contaminated water. The effectiveness of main operational parameters such as plate spacing was examined. In addition, phosphate removal efficiency and energy consumption were compared among aluminum, aluminum-iron (aluminum and iron alternately as electrode) and iron electrodes. In accordance with influence of plate spacing on phosphate removal efficiency system, and energy consumption vs. time in different electrode materials, the optimum conditions for these parameters were found to be 0.5 cm as plate spacing and 50 mm for equilibrium time. Phosphate removal efficiencies of 88, 71 and 51% were obtained with aluminum, aluminum-iron and iron electrode in a special case, at optimum plate spacing, a current density of 8 mA cm^-2 and a pH of 7.0 for 50 mm, respectively. Under the same conditions, the energy consumption was observed with aluminum-iron (0.12 kWh m^-3), aluminum (0.17 kWhm^-3), and iron (0.21 kWhm^-3), respectively. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]