Sulfate (SO4 2−) removal by electrocoagulation process under combined electrical connection of electrodes

Abstract

Inorganic compounds in water can have detrimental effects on human health and the environment due to the high toxicity level of these ionic contaminants. This study assessed the efficiency of electrocoagulation process for removing sulfate (SO4 2−). The technology of electrocoagulation depends mainly on electrical applied that produce coagulant species in a certain position via electro-dissolution of sacrificial anodes which are often made of iron or aluminum. EC process illustrated great potential as a vital method in eliminating numerous types of contaminants including inorganic contaminants at a lesser cost, and ecologically friendly technique. In the present study, aluminum materials were utilized in both cathode and anode electrodes. Water samples were obtained from Sawa Lake, Al-Muthanna Province located in Iraq. Electrocoagulation formations with static electrodes were used under mutual electrical connection. The effects of the different variables such as pH, current density, inter electrode distance, reaction time and stirring speed were scrutinized to obtain a higher removal of SO4 2−. Preliminary outcomes exhibited the following optimal and functional conditions; pH = 8, current density = 0.8A, reaction time (RT) = 80 min, IED = 1 cm, temperature = 27 °C and agitation speed = 500 rpm. The maximum removal efficiency of SO4 2− is 88 %. The present statistical rates proved the effectiveness of EC method in terms of removing salts from lake water.