Abstract
The objective of the present investigation was to construct an electrocoagulation cell in a batch system and to evaluate its capacity to remove the anionic surfactant of the linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), which is present in gray water determining the effect of the type of electrodes (Al or Fe), distance between electrodes (1, 1.5 and 2 cm) and voltages (10, 15 and 20 V). The experimental tests were carried out for 20 min. The dimensions of the short wave electrolysis cell built in glass were 26 cm long, 7 cm wide and 12 cm high, with 10 electrodes of 12x6 cm supported by a PVC structure. The concentration of LAS in the solution was determined by employing UV-Vis spectrometry applying the Methylene Blue Active Substances (MBAS) method. A higher removal of 65.55% was obtained when aluminum electrodes were used, and 69.11% with iron electrodes a separation of 1.5 cm and a voltage of 20 V, presenting less change in pH, conductivity, and energy consumption when using the Al3 electrode. When evaluating the effect of time at the best experimental configuration (Al, 1.5 cm, 20 V) it was established that the removal efficiency increased to 75.13% in 60 min. Electrocoagulation with aluminum electrodes is presented as an efficient alternative for the removal of LAS in solution.
Highlights
Drinking water treatment processes face great challenges in optimizing technologies to prevent the discharge of pollutants into the environment, which could cause problems in human health and environmental impact; this, due to continuous population growth, reduced availability of water sources, and climate changes, hydrology, and changes in water quality [1,2]
Emerging contaminants (EC), which comprise a wide range of chemicals, pharmaceuticals, personal care, surfactants, cosmetics, plasticizers, and industrial additives, have effect on health and the environment [3]
Electrocoagulation is a technology that removes pollutants suspended, dissolved, or emulsified in water through electricity [1]. It has been used in the removal of sodium lauryl sulfate, achieving a 94.98 % of efficiency [8]; as well as in the removal of phosphates with iron and aluminum electrodes, finding that efficiency increases with voltage reaching 78 % removal [9], and in the dyes removal was achieved an efficiency of 97.57 % [10]
Summary
Drinking water treatment processes face great challenges in optimizing technologies to prevent the discharge of pollutants into the environment, which could cause problems in human health and environmental impact; this, due to continuous population growth, reduced availability of water sources, and climate changes, hydrology, and changes in water quality [1,2]. Linear alkylbenzene sulfonate (LAS), is the most widespread anionic surfactant worldwide, widely used in detergents, personal care products, it can damage fish gills [6]. Due to their effects on aquatic biota, accumulation capacity and resistance to biodegradation, different technologies have been implemented in the removal of surfactants, such as bio-filtration, UV treatment, biological or oxidative treatments, and chlorination [7]. The objective of the present study was to design and evaluate the performance of a laboratory-scale electrocoagulation cell in greywater treatment, optimizing its operation by making changes in the electrode material, the distance between them, and the current supplied
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