Determining the Reaction Rate of Electrochemical Process for Purification of Polluted Water

Aims Turbidity in higher than standard levels, indicates failure in the water treatment plant. An electrochemical disinfection process takes place through electricity transition between two or more electrodes. This research aimed to determine the reaction rate of electrochemical process for purification of polluted water. Materials Methods This is a bench scale, experimental study performed in a batch system on synthetic wastewater. 1700ml of prepared synthetic wastewater was put in an electrolytic cell and constant 600mA current was flowed into the cell content through merged aluminum electrodes for 1 hour. Samples were taken from the batch in the beginning and every 10 minutes and were analyzed for, turbidity, Coliform bacteria (probably, confirmed and E. coli) and Heterotrophic Plat Count. Fisher exact test was used to analyze data. Findings All the parameters of turbidity, HPC, total coliform, confirmed coliform and E. coli were decreased during the time. The electrochemical process reduced the average of turbidity below 3NTU after 50 minutes (91.05% removal). The HPC number reduced from 130n/ml to 2.4n/ml (98.15% removal) after 50 minutes. No coliforms were seen after 40 minutes of the electrochemical process. Conclusion 40 minutes of electrochemical process in 600mA by aluminum electrodes is the optimum condition for removing the turbidity, Coliform bacteria (total, confirmed and E. coli) and HPC from polluted water.