, , , , 115(2018)82-87 DOI: https://doi.org/

Abstract

A major problem in municipal waste landfills is generation of leachate, a dark black colored liquid with high concentrations of pollutants. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the efficiency of available leachate treatment methods at a biological treatment plant and the electrocoagulation (EC) process using aluminum and iron electrodes for treatment of effluent from the biological treatment plant. In this experimental study, leachate from the AqQala landfill in Gorgan was examined. Equipment for electrochemical unit included a power supply as well as iron and aluminum electrodes. The EC process was operated under different reaction times (20, 40, 60 min), pH values (3, 7, 9) and current densities (1.66, 3.33, 5A/m2 ). The results showed that the effluent from the biological treatment plant has high concentrations of organic matter similar to wastewater, and should therefore be treated before discharge to the environment. According to the results, increasing the reaction time or the current density in the EC process increases the removal efficiency. The EC process is suggested as an alternative treatment process with high efficiency for the removal of organic matter, nitrate, phosphorous and turbidity in sewage treatment, which could prevent water and soil pollution.