Electrolysis of Wastewater - A Laboratory Study

Abstract

Abstract This paper presents bench scale experimental results on the electrolysis of raw domestic wastewater. Studies carried out with consumable electrodes are discussed. A mathematical model of a small electrolytic sewage treatment unit for individual household application is developed. The energy consumption and cost of such a device are discussed. Electrolysis can be described as a process in which chemical reactions are induced at each electro-liquid interface by applying an external electrical energy source to a system of electrodes immersed in a liquid. This paper deals only with electrolysis where a direct current power supply is used as the energy source. The process is governed by Faraday' s two laws on electrochemistry. The fundamental process parameter is the electrical charge density, measured as coulombs per litre (c/1) of wastewater treated. There are two basic types of electrolysis depending on the choice of anode material. When the anode is made of dissolvable metallic material such as iron, stainless steel and aluminum, the metal dissolves and goes into the sewage as metallic ions and forms hydrated metallic oxides which act as flocculating agents. The amount of metal dissolved is proportional to the quantity of electrical charges supplied to the system. Results from a series of batch experiments showed that electrolysis with consumable electrodes is capable of removing significant amounts of organic pollutants. Total organic carbon (TOC) removal was found to be a function of charge density. Phosphate removal efficiency of 90 percent or higher was achieved at a relatively low charge density of 240 coulombs per litre with either iron or stainless steel anodes. A mathematical model was derived in the conceptual design of a household electrolytic treatment unit. The model incorporates variables such as decomposition voltage of the electrodes and electrical conductivity of the wastewater as well as the physical configuration of the electrolytic cell. The energy requirement of such a unit can be calculated from the model. It is suggested in this paper that an electrolytic waste treatment unit could be an alternative to the septic tank and tile bed system in areas where the latter is not applicable due to poor soil and terrain conditions.