Electrocoagulation

[semo]

Does anyone have any experience with electrocoagulation for wastewater treatment? Primarily in a municipal setting; but, general experience is helpful too?

I know it is used primarily in industrial wastewater for metals removal; but, my concern is its effectiveness at removing nutrients (N & P).

Also concerned about the operating and maintenance costs. How much energy do the units actually use per mil gallons? How often are the plates replaced and at what cost? Do the units require prefilters to prevent clogging, etc.

Any experience would be helpful.

 

[sjohns4]

I put one in a water treatment plant several years ago to treat the waste stream from the sludge press. My memory is a little fuzzy, but here's what I recall:

For the amount of flow it treated, it used a LOT of power.
It passed the jar test with flying colors, I was really amazed. If I recall we were chiefly trying to get iron and manganese out. The unit didn't play well with the polymers in the water, they would build up on the plates. Their unit ended up catching on fire...I don't recall just why though. They are no longer using it.

I think it's one of those widgets that fits a small niche in a municipal application, so be sure to do a careful evaluation of power costs, O&M needs, and by all means bring a pilot unit in and do a real world test.

 

[davefitz]

I would think nutrients are better removed with a MBR with optimized bacteria.
EC projects that seem the most advanced are associated with Dr Abe Beagles, but mostly related to removing heavy metals from oilfield wastewaters.

"Whom the gods would destroy, they first make mad "