Assessment of Electrocoagulation Method to Reduce Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity and Hardness of Thickener Overflow of hematite in Gole-Gohar Sirjan

Moosavirad, Seyed Morteza; Abaspour Sirjani, Maryam

Assessment of Electrocoagulation Method to Reduce Total Suspended Solids, Turbidity and Hardness of Thickener Overflow of hematite in Gole-Gohar Sirjan

Document Type : research - paper

Authors

مدیریت آزمایشگاه

Abstract

Electrocoagulation process is one of the new and progressing methods to remove suspended matter. In this study, electrocoagulation was assessed to reduce total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity and hardness of the thickener overflow of hematite in Gole-Gohar Sirjan. Therefore, in a laboratory scale, a glass container with 3 liter volume was prepared and equipped with 6 electrodes made of iron, steel and aluminum. Parameters such as electrode material, contact time and voltage were studied. The aluminum electrode showed the highest TSS removal comparing to the iron and steel electrodes. Aluminum electrode in a voltage of 6V and retention time of 5 minutes removed 88.5 percent of TSS while the steel electrode in voltage of 6 V and retention time of 15 minutes have maximum turbidity equal to 81% (NTU 21). Also in various voltages and different retention times, there was no significant change in the hardness. Based on the technical and economic studies, capital, operating and maintenance costs for electrodes of aluminum, iron and steel were calculated separately. The results illustrated that iron electrode with respect to the total costs (878 Ria) is preferred in comparison with steel (2978 Ria) and aluminum electrodes (3160 Ria). The iron electrode is selected based on the ease of operation, the settling of solid sludge, dewatering capability suitable and less sludge production volume.

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