Electrocoagulation System Research Articles

Phosphate removal from aqueous solutions using reversal mode electrocoagulation with iron and aluminum electrodes: RSM optimization and ANN modeling

Abstract Phosphate pollution significantly contributes to eutrophication and the degradation of aquatic ecosystems. The removal of phosphate from wastewater before discharging into the environment is essential for the sustainability of the ecosystem. This work focuses on using a polarity reversal mode electrocoagulation (PRM-EC) system integrated with iron (Fe) and aluminum (Al) electrodes to remove phosphate from wastewater. The conditions for the removal process were optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). Central composite design (CCD) was used to design the experiment and numerical optimization was utilized to find the optimal conditions. The phosphate removal efficiency could reach 93.12% at a current density of 40 A m−2, time of 30 min, pH of 6.4, and electrode distance of 10.5 mm. The energy consumption was about 0.4 kW m−3. The artificial neural network (ANN) modeling showed that the current density was the most influencing factor, followed by time, pH, and electrode distance. The mechanism underlying the PRM-EC process encompassed electrode dissolution, floc formation, phosphate adsorption, and precipitation. The findings in the work show that PRM-EC is an environmentally friendly and effective solution for phosphate removal.

Treatment of contaminated river water by batch electrocoagulation system using aluminium and iron electrodes: Performance of process and statistical analysis

Treatment of contaminated river water by batch electrocoagulation system using aluminium and iron electrodes: Performance of process and statistical analysis

Application of batch electrocoagulation treatment system with aluminium electrodes for simultaneous removal of organic and heavy metal contaminants from Borneo urban rivers

The challenges of sludge management and complex water treatment systems hinder the effectiveness of chemical coagulation in treating heavily contaminated urban river water. Realizing these issues, this study aims to develop a batch electrocoagulation system using aluminum electrodes to generate in-situ aluminum hydroxide coagulants for simultaneous removal of organic contaminants and heavy metals from Borneo urban river water. Subsequent, the treatment system achieves a reduction of 91.67 % of turbidity, 98.29 % of color, 95.16 % of total suspended solids (TSS), 97.78 % of iron, 94.21 % of lead, 21.94 % of pH, and 98.58 % of chemical oxygen demand (COD) with an electric current of 5 A and a residence time of 25 min. Besides, the treated water meets the Malaysia National Water Quality Standards for Class I which making it suitable for domestic consumption. The energy consumption cost for the treatment is only RM 1.48 (USD 0.31) per cubic meter of treated water. Additionally, the analysis of the electrocoagulation flocs reveals the presence of carbon, iron, lead, and various dissolved minerals which indicates effective contaminant removal from urban river. Overall, this study demonstrates the potential of the batch electrocoagulation treatment system as an effective and cost-efficient solution for treating urban river water in Borneo industrial areas.

Electrocoagulation efficiency probed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Electrocoagulation efficiency probed using electrochemical impedance spectroscopy

Optimization of iron electrocoagulation parameters for enhanced turbidity and chemical oxygen demand removal from laundry greywater

This study explores the optimization of iron electrocoagulation for treating laundry greywater, which accounts for up to 38% of domestic greywater. Characterized by high concentrations of surfactants, detergents, and suspended solids, laundry greywater presents complex challenges for treatment processes, posing significant environmental and health risks. Utilizing response surface methodology (RSM), this research developed a second-order polynomial regression model focused on key operational parameters such as the area-to-volume ratio (A/V), current density, electrolysis time, and settling time. Optimal treatment conditions were identified: an A/V ratio of 30 m2/m3, a current density of 10 mA/cm2, an electrolysis duration of 50 min, and a settlement period of 12 h. Under these conditions, exceptional treatment outcomes were achieved, with turbidity removal reaching 94.26% and COD removal at 99.64%. The model exhibited high effectiveness for turbidity removal, with an R2 value of 94.16%, and moderate effectiveness for COD removal, with an R2 value of 75.90%. The interaction between the A/V ratio and electrolysis time particularly underscored their critical role in electrocoagulation system design. Moreover, these results highlight the potential for optimizing electrocoagulation parameters to adapt to daily fluctuations in greywater production and meet specific household reuse needs, such as toilet flushing. This tailored approach aims to maximize contaminant separation and coagulant efficiency, balance energy use and operational costs, and contribute to sustainable water management.

High-efficiency removal of As(iii) from groundwater using siderite as the iron source in the electrocoagulation process.

Electrocoagulation technology, due to its simplicity and ease of operation, is often considered for treating arsenic-contaminated groundwater. However, challenges such as anode wear have hindered its development and application. This study aims to develop a siderite-filled anode electrocoagulation system for efficient removal of As(iii) and investigate its effectiveness. The impact of operational parameters on the removal rate of As(iii) was analyzed through single-factor tests, and the stability and superiority of the device were evaluated. The response surface methodology was employed to analyze the interactions between various factors and determine the optimal operational parameters by integrating data from these tests. Under conditions where the removal rate of As reached 99.3 ± 0.37%, with an initial concentration of As(iii) at 400 μg L-1, current intensity at 30 mA, initial solution pH value at 7, and Na2SO4 concentration at 10 mM. The flocculant used was subjected to characterization analysis to examine its structure, morphology, and elemental composition under these optimal operational parameters. The oxidation pathway for As(iii) within this system relies on integrated results from direct electrolysis as well as ˙O2 -, ˙OH, and Fe(iv) mediated oxidation processes. The elimination of arsenic encompasses two fundamental mechanisms: firstly, the direct adsorption of As(iii) by highly adsorbent flocculants like γ-FeOOH and magnetite (Fe3O4); secondly, the oxidation of As(iii) into As(v), followed by its reaction with siderite or other compounds to generate a dual coordination complex or iron arsenate, thus expediting its eradication. The anodic electrocoagulation system employing siderite as a filler exhibits remarkable efficiency and cost-effectiveness, while ensuring exceptional stability, thereby providing robust theoretical underpinnings for the application of electrocoagulation technology in arsenic removal.

Removal of Nitrates in Drinking Water Polluted with Landfill Leachate by an Electrocoagulation System with Mg-Zn

Removal of Nitrates in Drinking Water Polluted with Landfill Leachate by an Electrocoagulation System with Mg-Zn

ELECTROCOAGULATION SYSTEM FOR TREATMENT OF BALLAST WATER

This study aimed to determine the removal of hazardous materials in ballast water by using an electrocoagulation (EC) system. This research was carried out on January 16 – June 15 2023 in Batam City. Ballast water was supplied by tanker ships anchored at 5 ports in Batam Island, namely Batam Centre, Sekupang, Nongsapura, Telaga Punggur, and Batu Ampar. The ballast water was collected and processed through an electrocoagulation system at PT. Batam Air Cargo Village, Batam. Meanwhile, the quality of the treated ballast water was examined by PT. Mutuagung Lestari Batam, Batam, Indonesia. If the laboratory test results meet the requirements, then the remaining ballast water can be disposed of into nature. However, if the test results are not met, then the ballast water is re-processed and channeled to the mixing tank. The physical parameters of the treated ballast water showed a temperature of 28oC, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS) of around 140 and 11 mg/L respectively. The main heavy metal content of ballast water after the electrocoagulation process showed cadmium (< 0.001 mg/L), chrome (< 0.02 mg/L), mercury (< 0.0001 mg/L), lead (< 0.005 mg/L), copper (0.14 mg /L), zinc (0.31 mg/L), and arsenic (< 0.0001 mg/L). The physical parameters of the treated ballast water showed a temperature of 28oC, total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS) of around 140 and 11 mg/L respectively. The main heavy metal content of ballast water after the electrocoagulation process showed cadmium (< 0.001 mg/L), chrome (< 0.02 mg/L), mercury (< 0.0001 mg/L), lead (< 0.005 mg/L), copper (0.14 mg /L), zinc (0.31 mg/L), and arsenic (< 0.0001 mg/L). Other chemical and biological parameters that were also measured included sulfide (< 0.002 mg/L), fluoride (0.11 mg/L), chlorine (0.05 mg/L), ammonia (0.78 mg/L), nitrate (< 0.05 mg/L), nitrite (< 0.004 mg/L), total nitrogen (0.78 mg/L), BOD5 (22.69 mg/L), methylene blue active compound (0.732 mg/L), phenol (0.001 mg/L), oil and fat (1.032 mg/L), pH (7.13), and total coliform (615 MPN/100). All parameters showed that the hazardous content of electrocoagulated ballast water waste has met the quality standards for ballast water waste. It has also been tested to process other liquid waste. So, it is very promising to be developed for other waste processing needs in the future.

A Comparison of the Co-Treatment of Urban Wastewater and Acidic Water Using a Ternary Emergy Diagram

The Pasco region in Peru is an area that has historically been polluted by mining activity and population growth. As a result, there is an increased production of urban wastewater and acidic water that contaminate local lakes such as Quiulacocha and Patarcocha. The construction of a treatment plant that can treat the different types of wastewaters has not yet been studied, and its sustainability has not yet been evaluated. The objective of this research was to predict the sustainability of co-treatment systems in different scenarios between urban wastewater and acidic water, expressed in terms of a ternary emergy diagram. The design of the co-treatment plant was carried out at an inflow of 10 L/s. The first scenario (Treatment I) has a primary settler for the mixture of urban wastewater and acidic water, while the second scenario (Treatment II) involves a settler and a subsurface artificial wetland, and the third scenario (Treatment IIIa and IIb) presents a settler, an electrocoagulation system and a secondary settler; this scenario differentiates between the use of urban wastewater and eutrophicated water from Patarcocha Lake. The results of the ternary diagram show the contributions of the fractions of renewable resources from Treatment I (69%), from Treatment II (65.7%), from Treatment IIIa (61.6%), and from Treatment IIIb (21.8%); the fractions of non-renewable resources in Treatment I (26.13%), Treatment II (24.13%), Treatment IIIa (23.33%), and Treatment IIIb (9.50%); and the fractions of imported inputs in Treatment I (4.84%), Treatment II (9.37%), Treatment IIIa (15.04%), and Treatment IIIb (68.72%). It is concluded that the use of a co-treatment system for urban wastewater and acidic water is sustainable in the long term when using an electrocoagulator or an artificial wetland.

Batch electrocoagulation system for the treatment of Borneo urban river in relation to the industrial zone

Urbanization activities on Borneo Island have degraded the water quality of some urban rivers due to increased anthropogenic activities which leading to elevated levels of total organic carbon (TOC) and reduced access to clean water sources. As such, this study aims to develop a batch electrocoagulation treatment system to reduce the TOC levels in Borneo urban river for domestic consumption. Correspondingly, this study analyses the effect of electric current and residence time on TOC reduction efficiency. Subsequent, this study has found that the TOC levels in treated urban river water met domestic consumption safety standard by utilizing a batch electrocoagulation treatment system at 5 A of electric current and 25 minutes of residence time. The treatment system achieves 82.83% of maximum TOC reduction efficiency by decreasing the initial TOC levels from 5.65 mg/L to 0.97 mg/L. The energy operating cost analysis done in this study has reported that electrocoagulation treatment system could generate 116.51 g Al(OH)3 per meter cubic of urban river water at a cost of United States Dollars (USD) 0.32 per m3. Additionally, the reduction of TOC levels in urban river by using in-situ aluminium hydroxide coagulants follows Freundlich isotherm model with a regression coefficient of 0.99, thus, exhibiting a multilayer adsorption. The aluminium hydroxide coagulants could reduce TOC from urban river at 1.40 min−1 of adsorption rate and 0.20 mg/g of maximum adsorption capacity. From the energy dispersive X-ray analysis conducted, this study has observed the presence of electrocoagulation flocs that are constituted with aluminium hydroxide coagulants and carbon element which indicated the occurrence of adsorption process. Overall, this study demonstrates that the batch electrocoagulation treatment system could be utilized to reduce the TOC level from Borneo urban river with an adsorption process which is deemed suitable for domestic consumption at a reasonable cost.

Extensive Study of Electrocoagulation-Based Adsorption Process of Real Groundwater Treatment: Isotherm Modeling, Adsorption Kinetics, and Thermodynamics

In this study, several adsorption models were studied to predict the adsorption kinetics of turbidity on an electro-generated adsorbent throughout the electrocoagulation remediation of real groundwater. A new design for an electrocoagulation reactor consisting of a finned anode positioned concentrically in a tube-shaped cathode was fabricated, providing a significant active area compared to its immersed volume. This work completed a previous electrochemical study through a deep investigation of adsorption technology that proceeded throughout the electrocoagulation reactor under optimal operating conditions, namely a treatment period of 2–30 min, a 2.3-Ampere current, and a stirring speed of 50 rpm. The one-, two-, and three-parameter adsorption models investigated in this study possess significant regression coefficients: Henry (R2 = 1.000), Langmuir (R2 = 0.9991), Freundlich (R2 = 0.9979), Temkin (R2 = 0.9990), Kiselev (R2 = 0.8029), Harkins–Jura (R2 = 0.9943), Halsey (R2 = 0.9979), Elovich (R2 = 0.9997), Jovanovic (R2 = 0.9998), Hill–de Boer (R2 = 0.8346), Fowler–Guggenheim (R2 = 0.8834), Dubinin–Radushkevich (R2 = 0.9907), Sips (R2 = 0.9834), Toth (R2 = 0.9962), Jossens (R2 = 0.9998), Redlich–Peterson (R2 = 0.9991), Koble–Carrigan (R2 = 0.9929), and Radke–Prausnitz (R2 = 0.9965). The current behavior of the adsorption–electrocoagulation system follows pseudo-first-order kinetics (R2 = 0.8824) and the Bangham and Burt mass transfer model (R2 = 0.9735). The core findings proved that an adsorption-method-based electrochemical cell has significant outcomes, and all the adsorption models could be taken into consideration, along with other kinetic and thermodynamics investigations as well.

Modeling Study of Aluminum-Based Electrocoagulation System for Wastewater Treatment

Modeling Study of Aluminum-Based Electrocoagulation System for Wastewater Treatment

Embedding Fe(0) electrocoagulation in a biologically active As(III) oxidising filter bed

Long-term consumption of groundwater containing elevated levels of arsenic (As) can have severe health consequences, including cancer. To effectively remove As, conventional treatment technologies require expensive chemical oxidants to oxidise neutral arsenite (As(III)) in groundwater to negatively charged arsenate (As(V)), which is more easily removed. Rapid sand filter beds used in conventional aeration-filtration to treat anaerobic groundwater can naturally oxidise As(III) through biological processes but require an additional step to remove the generated As(V), adding complexity and cost. This study introduces a novel approach where As(V), produced through biological As(III) oxidation in a sand filter, is effectively removed within the same filter by embedding and operating an iron electrocoagulation (FeEC) system inside the filter. Operating FeEC within the biological filter achieved higher As(III) removal (81 %) compared to operating FeEC in the filter supernatant (67 %). This performance was similar to an analogous embedded-FeEC system treating As(V)-contaminated water (85 %), confirming the benefits of incorporating FeEC in a biological bed for comparable As(III) and As(V) removal. However, operating FeEC in the sand matrix consumed more energy (14 Wh/m3) compared to FeEC operated in a water matrix (7 Wh/m3). The efficiency of As removal increased and energy requirements decreased in such embedded-FeEC systems by deep-bed infiltration of Fe(III)-precipitates, which can be controlled by adjusting flow rate and pH. This study is one of the first to demonstrate the feasibility of embedding FeEC systems in sand filters for groundwater arsenic removal. Such systems capitalise on biological As(III) oxidation in aeration-filtration, effectively eliminating As(V) within the same setup without the need for chemicals or major modifications.

Reducing Tannery Wastewater Pollutants through a Magnetic-Field and Ozone-Treatment Electrocoagulation System using Response Surface Methodology

Reducing Tannery Wastewater Pollutants through a Magnetic-Field and Ozone-Treatment Electrocoagulation System using Response Surface Methodology

Evaluating the performance of electrocoagulation system in the removal of polystyrene microplastics from water

Emerging pollutants, particularly microplastics, present a significant threat to both the environment and human health. Traditional treatment methods lack targeted strategies for their removal. This study thoroughly investigated the efficacy of electrocoagulation as a method for efficiently extracting microplastics from water. Various critical operational parameters, including electrode combinations, pH levels, electrolyte concentrations, electrode geometries, configurations, current intensities, and reaction times, were systematically examined. The study systematically examined the impact of different combinations of aluminium (Al) and stainless steel (SS) electrodes, including Al–Al, SS-SS, Al-SS, and SS-Al. Among these combinations, it was found that the Al–Al pairing exhibited outstanding efficiency in microplastic removal, while simultaneously minimizing energy consumption. Initial pH emerged as a critical parameter, with a neutral pH of 7 demonstrating the highest removal efficiency. In the pursuit of optimizing parameters like electrolyte concentrations, electrode geometry, and configuration, it's noteworthy that consistently achieving removal efficiencies exceeding 90% has been a significant achievement. However, to ascertain economic efficiency, additional factors such as energy consumption, electrode usage, and post-treatment conductivity must be taken into account. To tackle the complexity posed by various parameters and criteria, using multi-criteria decision-making tools like TOPSIS is essential, as it has a track record of effectiveness in practical applications. The electrolyte concentration of 0.5 g L−1 is identified as optimal by TOPSIS analysis Additionally, the TOPSIS highlighted the superiority of cylindrical hollow wire mesh electrodes and established the monopolar parallel configuration as the most effective electrode connection method. The investigation carefully evaluated the effect of reaction time, determining that a 50-min window provides optimal microplastic removal efficiency. This refined system exhibited remarkable proficiency in eliminating microplastics of varying size ranges (0–75 μm, 75–150 μm, and 150–300 μm), achieving removal efficiencies of 90.67%, 93.6%, and 94.6%, respectively, at input concentration of 0.2 g L−1. The present study offers a comprehensive framework for optimizing electrocoagulation parameters, presenting a practical and highly effective strategy to address the critical issue of microplastic contamination in aquatic environments.

A pilot-scale electrocoagulation-treatment wetland system for the treatment of landfill leachate

In the present study, the technical feasibility of an electrocoagulation-treatment wetland continuous flow system, for the removal of organic matter from landfill leachate (LL), was evaluated. The response surface methodology (MSR) was used to assess the individual and combined effects of the applied potential and distance between electrodes, on the removal efficiency and optimization of the electrocoagulation process. The hybrid treatment wetland system consisted of a vertical flow system coupled to a horizontal subsurface flow system, both planted with Canna indica. For a chemical oxygen demand (COD) concentration - without pretreatment of 5142.8 ± 2.5 mg L−1, the removal percentage for the electrocoagulation system was 79.4 ± 0.16%, under the optimal working conditions (Potential: 20 V; Distance: 2.0 cm). The COD removal efficiency in the treatment wetland with Canna indica showed a dependence with the hydraulic retention time, reaching 59.2 ± 0.2 % over 15 days. The overall efficiency of the system was about 91.5 ± 0.02 % removal of COD. In addition, a decrease in the biochemical oxygen demand (94.8 ± 0.14%) and total suspended solids (88.2 ± 0.22%), also related to the contamination levels of the LL, were obtained. This study, for the first time, shows that the coupling of electrocoagulation together with a treatment wetland system is a good alternative for the removal of organic contaminants present in LL.

Modeling Strategies Based on Multiple Neural Network Systems Applied for a Monopolar and Bipolar Electrocoagulation

The objective of this research was to evaluate the efficiency of an electrocoagulation system using iron and aluminum electrodes, arranged in both monopolar and bipolar arrangements, for the removal of acid red 18 dye. Experimental and modeling approaches were employed to investigate the system’s performance. The effects of operating parameters: including initial pH (3–9), current density (0.4–5.6 mA cm−2), charge passed (2.16–21.6 C cm−2), and initial dye concentration (50–300 mg l−1) were studied. The results demonstrated that an increase in electric current intensity and passed charge enhanced the removal of COD and dye. However, to minimize energy consumption, these parameters were optimized for different dye concentrations. The monopolar arrangement exhibited favorable performance for the both electrodes, primarily due to reduced ohmic drop effect, although the iron electrode generated sludge with better settling characteristics. The monopolar iron electrode consumed the least energy (38.3 kWh kg−1 COD). Experimental evaluation was conducted to assess the influence of key electrolysis process parameters on dye and COD removal. Additionally, neural network models, employing radial basis function and multilayer perceptron approaches, were utilized to predict system outputs based on initial characteristics (COD and dye) and operation conditions. The neural network models provided accurate predictions, offering practical insights for experimental applications.

Iron electrocoagulation activated peracetic acid for efficient degradation of sulfamethoxazole

Activation of peracetic acid (PAA) by Fe species is the attractive advanced oxidation processes for the removal of antibiotics. However, achieving optimal performance in many of these processes often requires acidic pH conditions, which impedes practical application. In this study, an iron electrocoagulation (EC) system was devised to for activate PAA and oxidate sulfamethoxazole (SMX). Under optimal conditions, the degradation of SMX by the EC/PAA system reached 96.2% within 15 min, with a pseudo-first order reaction constant of 0.241 min−1, but only consuming 0.044 kW·h/m3. Interestingly, the EC/PAA system showed a high buffering capacity in the initial pH range of 4–8 to maintain the final pH of around 7. The quenching experiments revealed both free radical and non-free radical pathways involved in the oxidation of SMX in the EC/PAA system. Specifically, the active species, including •OH, organic radicals (CH3COO• and CH3COOO•) and 1O2, contribute 86.77%, 5.53% and 7.70%, respectively. These findings suggest that the EC/PAA system has unique advantages and potential for the degradation of antibiotic organics such as SMX in aquatic environments due to its strong oxidative capacity, wide pH range and high buffering capacity.

Treatment of tropical peat water in Sarawak peatlands nature reserve by utilising a batch electrocoagulation system

Tropical peat water is abundantly available in peatlands nature reserve, especially on Borneo Island. However, this water source contains humic substances that could be harmful to human health if consumed without undergoing water treatment process. Although tropical peat water could be treated with conventional treatment, the system possesses drawbacks in terms of debris build-up in pipeline networks. As such, this study aims to develop a batch electrocoagulation treatment system to treat tropical peat water for domestic consumption in Sarawak peatlands nature reserve. Correspondingly, this study also investigates the effect of electric voltage ranging from 5 V to 30 V and treatment time between 5 min and 30 min on the reduction of humic substances in peat water by utilising electrocoagulation treatment. Subsequent, this study has found that the batch electrocoagulation treatment system could effectively reduce 97.12% of colour, 95.56% of turbidity, 88.46% of total suspended solids (TSS), 90.00% of total dissolved solids (TDS), and 97.30% of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from peat water at 30 V of electric voltage and 25 min of treatment time. These operating conditions could generate an adequate production of aluminium hydroxide coagulants in order to remove humic substances from tropical peat water in the form of flocs. The study has noticed that the treated peat water could be utilised as a clean water source owing to the levels of 13 TCU of colour, 2 NTU of turbidity, 3 mg/L of total suspended solids, 2 mg/L of total dissolved solids, and 4 mg/L of chemical oxygen demand have met the Malaysia Class I standard in National Water Quality Standards (NWQS). From the total operating cost analysis conducted, the treatment of peat water by using batch electrocoagulation system cost only United States Dollars (USD) 0.65 per metre cubic. Overall, this study deduces that a batch electrocoagulation treatment system could be utilized to treat tropical peat water sources in Sarawak peatlands nature reserve.

Achieved advanced wastewater phosphate removal via improved ionic interference resistance in a migration-electric-field assisted electrocoagulation (MEAEC) system with modified-biochar pseudocapacitor electrode

The capacitive deionization-assisted electrocoagulation system has promising application potential in advanced phosphate removal of its low electricity consumption and sacrificial anode material. Phosphate removal in wastewater is crucial since excess phosphate might lead to eutrophication. However, the complex ion composition in raw wastewater can influence the effective phosphate removal by competing with the precipitable metal ions during electrocoagulation. In this study, a novel migration electric-field assisted electrocoagulation (MEAEC) with an assisted capacitive electrode made of N-doped and Fe-La co-modified biochar (LFNB) to achieve specific phosphate electro-adsorption for effective advanced phosphate removal. The LFNB-MEAEC achieved ultrahigh phosphate removal with the effluent of 0.1 mg/L in synthetic and raw municipal wastewater and met the first Grade A standard of total phosphate in the discharge standard of pollutants for municipal wastewater treatment plant (DSPMWTP) in China. The commonly observed coexisting ions in wastewater and a pH range of 2–12 did not significantly fluctuate the phosphate removal of LFNB-MEAEC. Cyclic voltammetry and charging-discharging tests confirmed the high phosphate affinity and excellent durability of LFNB in ion-interference circumstances. The MEAEC assisted with selective-adsorption capacitive electrodes and provided an effective and practical method for advanced phosphate removal from low-phosphorus-contaminated wastewater. The MEAEC with a selective-adsorbed capacitive electrode improved phosphate removal by 21 % (from 74 ± 1.7% to 95 ± 1.0%), reduced the energy consumption by 65.7% (0.012 kWh m−3-wastewater), and saved the sacrificial anode material by 67.5% (from 200 to 65 g m−3-wastewater) than those of MEAEC without phosphate-selective electrode in the same period (Sacrificial anode working time 200 s).