Electrocoagulation Cell with Modular Electrode Plates for Wastewater Treatment, EWTECMEP

An Electrocoagulation (EC) Cell is an electrochemical reactor that generates coagulants in situ through the electrolytic dissolution of sacrificial metal anodes (typically iron or aluminum) to destabilize, aggregate, and separate colloidal particles, emulsified oils, and heavy metals from wastewater.

The overall process inside the cell operates via four concurrent phenomena: anodic dissolution, aqueous hydrolysis/speciation, cathodic water reduction (electroflotation), and direct electro-reduction. (1) Anodic Reactions (Sacrificial Electrodes): Take aluminum anode as an example: 

The primary wastewater treatment applications are summarized below: (1) Oily & Emulsified Effluents: Breaks down mechanical and surfactant-stabilized cutting fluids, drilling muds, and refinery wastewater (COD/oil removal >90%). (2) Textile & Dye Effluents: Rapid decolorization via coagulation coupled with direct anodic oxidation and cathodic dye cleavage. (3) Heavy Metal Precipitation: Co-precipitation and adsorption of As^{3+/5+}, Cr^{6+}, Cu^{2+}, Pb^{2+}, andZn^{2+} onto freshly precipitated metal hydroxides down to sub-ppm levels. (4) Semiconductor & Mining Wastewater: Efficient stripping of fluoride (F-) via insolubilization with Al^{3+} flocs to form insoluble fluoroaluminate complexes.

References:

1. J. Q. Jiang, et al. Laboratory study of electro-coagulation–flotation for water treatment, Water Research, 2002, 36, 4064-4078. 
2. S. Boinpally, et. al., A state-of-the-art review of the electrocoagulation technology for wastewater treatment, Water Cycle, 2023, 4, 26-36