Energy efficient electrocoagulation using baffle-plates electrodes for efficient Escherichia coli removal from wastewater

Abstract

A new electrocoagulation reactor (EC), which utilises the concepts of baffle-plates, has been applied to remove Escherichia coli (E. coli) from wastewater. This new aluminium-based EC reactor utilises perforated baffle-plates electrodes to mix water, which reduces the need for mechanical or magnetic mixers that require extra power to work. This new reactor has been used to treat E. coli containing wastewater samples, considering the effects of different parameters such as treatment time (TT), inter-electrode distance (IED), and current density (CD). A statistical analysis has also been commenced to evaluate the influence of each parameter on the removal of E. coli. Additionally, an economic study has been conducted to assess the operating cost of the new reactor. The outcomes of the experimental work confirmed that the new reactor removes as high as 96 % of the E. coli within 20 min of electrolysis at IED of 0.5 cm, and CD of 1.5 mA/cm2. Additionally, it has been found that the operating cost of the new reactor is 0.11 US $/m3 (for E. coli removal), which is less than operating cost of traditional reactors. Finally, it has been found that the effect of the studied parameters on E. coli removal followed the order: TT>CD>IED.