ELECTROCOAGULATION SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF BALLAST WATER

Abstract

This study aimed to determine the removal of hazardous materials in ballast water by using an electrocoagulation (EC) system. This research was carried out on January 16 – June 15 2023 in Batam City. Ballast water was supplied by tanker ships anchored at 5 ports in Batam Island, namely Batam Centre, Sekupang, Nongsapura, Telaga Punggur, and Batu Ampar. The ballast water was collected and processed through an electrocoagulation system at PT. Batam Air Cargo Village, Batam. Meanwhile, the quality of the treated ballast water was examined by PT. Mutuagung Lestari Batam, Batam, Indonesia. If the laboratory test results meet the requirements, then the remaining ballast water can be disposed of into nature. However, if the test results are not met, then the ballast water is re-processed and channeled to the mixing tank. The physical parameters of the treated ballast water showed a temperature of 28oC, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS) of around 140 and 11 mg/L respectively. The main heavy metal content of ballast water after the electrocoagulation process showed cadmium (< 0.001 mg/L), chrome (< 0.02 mg/L), mercury (< 0.0001 mg/L), lead (< 0.005 mg/L), copper (0.14 mg /L), zinc (0.31 mg/L), and arsenic (< 0.0001 mg/L). The physical parameters of the treated ballast water showed a temperature of 28oC, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS) of around 140 and 11 mg/L respectively. The main heavy metal content of ballast water after the electrocoagulation process showed cadmium (< 0.001 mg/L), chrome (< 0.02 mg/L), mercury (< 0.0001 mg/L), lead (< 0.005 mg/L), copper (0.14 mg /L), zinc (0.31 mg/L), and arsenic (< 0.0001 mg/L). Other chemical and biological parameters that were also measured included sulfide (< 0.002 mg/L), fluoride (0.11 mg/L), chlorine (0.05 mg/L), ammonia (0.78 mg/L), nitrate (< 0.05 mg/L), nitrite (< 0.004 mg/L), total nitrogen (0.78 mg/L), BOD5 (22.69 mg/L), methylene blue active compound (0.732 mg/L), phenol (0.001 mg/L), oil and fat (1.032 mg/L), pH (7.13), and total coliform (615 MPN/100). All parameters showed that the hazardous content of electrocoagulated ballast water waste has met the quality standards for ballast water waste. It has also been tested to process other liquid waste. So, it is very promising to be developed for other waste processing needs in the future.