Modelling of electrochemical phosphate removal from water

Abstract

Phosphate contamination in surface water is a common problem that still needs a dependable solution because the presence of phosphate is the main motivator of the eutrophication of surface water which leads to many economic and health problems. In terms of the economy, eutrophication ruins the quality of the water inhibits tourism activities and requires expensive treatments and management plans. While in terms of health, eutrophication results in the generation of toxins via algal activities. The present article presents the results of phosphate removal from water using an electrocoagulation unit supplied with aluminium electrodes, and also it presents the results of modelling of phosphate removal by the electrocoagulation method. The experimental work focused on the effects of distance between electrodes (D), current density (CD) and contact time (Time), and the modelling process was developed using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) (a three-factor Box-Behnken design). The results of both experimental and modelling studies were agreed with an R2 of 0.9779, and it was noticed that the 20 mg/L of phosphate was removed after 55 minutes of electrolysing at CD of 5 mA/cm2 and D of 3 mm. The results encourage the use of this method for phosphate removal from domestic wastewater or use the method as a pre-treatment for industrial wastewater because the latter is usually highly loaded with phosphate.