Abstract
A study was carried out on the decontamination of domestic sewage effluent by electroflotation in a homemade pilot scale reactor. Different values of current density, conductivity, and effluent flow rate were tested to determine the most suitable operating parameters of the system. Applying a current density of 14.18 A m−2, adding 0.5 g L−1 of NaCl, and using a flow rate of 0.33 m3 h−1 resulted in the removal of 97.53, 93.91, 99.98, 91.55, and 99.99% of total solids, turbidity, oil and grease, biochemical oxygen demand, and total coliforms, respectively. In addition, an increase in the dissolved oxygen to values higher than that required by the Brazilian Environmental Agency was also observed in the treated effluent, demonstrating the high efficiency of the constructed reactor when operating under optimal conditions. The treatment cost of the sewage effluent was estimated at $0.36 m−3, considering both the electrical energy consumption and addition of sodium chloride. Thus, this study reveals that electroflotation is a very promising alternative method of treatment for the decontamination of highly polluted effluents like the domestic sewage.
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