Electrocoagulation is an empirical (and largely heuristic) water treatment technology that has had many different applications over the last century. It has proven its viability by removing a wide range of pollutants. The approach to reactor design has been haphazard, however, with little or no reference to previous designs or underlying principles. This thesis reviewed these reactor designs, identifying key commonalities and synthesising a new design hierarchy, summarised by three main decisions: 1. Batch or continuous operation; 2. Coagulation only or coagulation plus flotation reactors, and; 3. Associated separation process if required. This design decision hierarchy thereby provides a consistent basis for future electrocoagulation reactor designs. Electrochemistry, coagulation, and flotation are identified as the key foundation sciences for electrocoagulation, and the relevant mechanisms (and their interactions) are extracted and applied in an electrocoagulation context. This innovative approach was applied to a 7 L batch electrocoagulation reactor treating clay-polluted water. Structured macroscopic experiments identified current (density), time, and mixing as the key operating parameters for electrocoagulation. A dynamic mass balance was conducted over the batch reactor, for the first time, thereby enabling the extraction of a concentration profile. For this batch system, three operating stages were then identifiable: lag, reactive, and stable stages. Each stage was systematically investigated (in contrast to the previous ad hoc approach) with reference to each of the foundation sciences and the key parameters of current and time. Electrochemical behaviour characterised both coagulant and bubble generation. Polarisation experiments were used to determine the rate-limiting step at each electrode�s surface. Consequently the appropriate Tafel parameters were extracted and hence the cell potential. At low currents both electrodes (anode and cathode) operated in the charge-transfer region. As the current increased, the mechanism shifted towards the diffusion-limited region, which increased the required potential. Polarisation experiments also define the operating potential at each electrode thereby enabling aluminium�s dissolution behaviour to be thermodynamically characterised on potential-pH (Pourbaix) diagrams. Active and passive regions were defined and hence the aluminium�s behaviour in an aqueous environment can now be predicted for electrocoagulation. Novel and detailed solution chemistry modelling of the metastable and stable aluminium species revealed the importance of oligomer formation and their rates in electrocoagulation. In particular, formation of the positively trimeric aluminium species increased solution pH (to pH 10.6), beyond the experimentally observed operable pH of 9. Thereby signifying the importance of the formation kinetics to the trimer as the active coagulant specie in electrocoagulation. Further leading insights to the changing coagulation mechanism in electrocoagulation were possible by comparison and contrast with the conventional coagulation method of alum dosing. Initially in the lag stage, little aggregation is observed until the coagulant concentration reaches a critical level. Simultaneously, the measured zeta potential increases with coagulant addition and the isoelectric point is attained in the reactive stage. Here a sorption coagulation mechanism is postulated; probably charge neutralisation, that quickly aggregates pollutant particles forming open structured aggregates as indicated by the low fractal dimension. As time progresses, pollutant concentration decreases and aluminium addition continues hence aluminium hydroxide/oxide precipitates. The bubbles gently sweep the precipitate through the solution, resulting in coagulation by an enmeshment mechanism (sweep coagulation). Consequently compact aggregates are formed, indicating by the high fractal dimension. Flotation is an inherent aspect of the batch electrocoagulation reactor via the production of electrolytic gases. In the reactor, pollutant separation occurs in situ, either by flotation or settling. From the concentration profiles extracted, original kinetic expressions were formulated to quantify these competing removal processes. As current increases, both settling and flotation rate constants increased due to the additional coagulant generation. This faster removal was offset by a decrease in the coagulant efficiency. Consequently a trade-off exists between removal time and coagulant efficiency that can be evaluated economically. A conceptual framework of electrocoagulation is developed from the synthesis of the systematic study to enable a priori prediction. This framework creates predictability for electrocoagulation, which is innovative and original for the technology. Predictability provides insights to knowledge transfer (between batch and continuous), efficient coagulant and separation path, to name just a few examples. This predictability demystifies electrocoagulation by providing a powerful design tool for the future development of scaleable, industrial electrocoagulation water treatment design and operation process.

Thesis (M.S.)--West Virginia University, 2008. / Title from document title page. Document formatted into pages; contains vii, 55 p. : ill. (some col.). Includes abstract. Includes bibliographical references (p. 45-46).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Colorado State University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references.

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:24:38Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 1999-11-05Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T18:52:21Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 breda_cc_me_botfca.pdf: 821980 bytes, checksum: a49ce00ac1caf716ae66bf9ea700c42b (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / Os efluentes de indústrias de chapa dura de fibra de madeira originários da exploração de eucalipto, são caracterizados por altos valores em DQO e material sólido em suspensão, tornando-os altamente poluentes para o ambiente e, principalmente, para os recursos hídricos. As empresas que atuam nesse segmento fazem o tratamento de seus efluentes de diversas maneiras, sendo a disposição por irrigação em solos cultivados, uma das formas utilizadas. Essa prática tem como base a melhoria da qualidade da água pela sua infiltração e principalmente pela evapotranspiração das plantas. Porém o lançamento em solos tem consequências, às vezes, muito graves, principalmente no que se refere a colmatação do solo e também à possível contaminação do lençol freático. O presente trabalho teve como objetivo o desenvolvimento de um sistema de tratamento de tais efluentes através do processo de peneiramento, visando a remoção das fibras em suspensão. Para isso desenvolveu-se um equipamento composto por peneiras rotativas substituíveis, com base em modelo francês, recomendado para o tratamento de efluentes industriais. Optou-se por esse sistema após a verificação da presença de grande quantidade de material sólido presente no efluente. Foram realizados 5 ensaios combinando-se peneiras rotativas de diferentes malhas (0,25 ; 0,50 ; 0,75 ; 1,00 e 1,50 mm) com suas respectivas rotações (13 ; 20 ; 33 ; 41 e 53 rpm) e vazões de entrada do efluente no sistema, que também foram 5 para cada ensaio. Para se verificar a influência do sistema proposto na redução da carga poluidora do efluente foram coletadas amostras na entrada do sistema (efluente “in natura”) e na saída (efluente após peneiramento) totalizando 150 amostras. Nessas amostras foram analisadas as seguintes variáveis:... / The wastewater from hardboard industries coming from the eucalyptus exploration are characterized by high values of COD and suspended solid matter. For this reason, the wastewater significantly pollute the environment, specially the water resources. The industries that act in this area treat their wastewater by different ways. The irrigation of cultivated lands is one of the options for treatment of the wastewater. By using this procedure, there should be an improvement in the water quality because of its infiltration into the soil and because of the plant’s evapotranspiration. However, the wastewater irrigation of the soil sometimes brings severe consequences, which are mainly related to the development of crusts on the soil surface and the possible contamination of the ground water. The objective of the present research was based on the development of a system to treat such wastewater by using the screening process, in order to remove the fibers in suspension. To do so, it has been developed an equipment that contains rotating changeable screens based on a French model that is recommended for the treatment of industry’s wastewater. Five trials have been performed combining rotating screens with different nets (0.25, 0.50, 0.75, 1.00, and 1.50 mm) with their respective rotations (13, 20, 33, 41, and 53 rpm) and also with 5 different flows of the wastewater incoming in the system. In order to verify the influence of the proposed system on the reduction of the pollutant capacity of the wastewater, 150 samples were collected at the inlet of the system (“in natura” wastewater) and at it’s outlet (wastewater after screening). From these samples, the following variables have been analyzed: total solids, fixed total solids, volatile total solids, pH, turbidity, electrical conductivity, COD, BOD, and... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

Currently, Ghana does not use Hot Water Treatment (HWT) as a phytosanitary control measure for mangoes. The effect of HW on the quality of ‘Keitt’ mangoes in Ghana was evaluated. Mangoes were washed with chlorinated water or hot water treated at 47°C for 70 min and stored at 25°C for 8 days. There was no treatment*Storage effect (P> 0.05) on the variables studied. Mangoes TA decreased (P<= 0.05) and pH increased with storage time. HWT had no impact on mango quality but had 50% reduction in decay during storage.

The chemistry, analysis, treatment, and occurrence of boron and chromium are of high interest since they are under consideration for revised MCLs in potable water. As a starting point to guide regulatory decision-making, a comprehensive review of boron in relation to potable water was undertaken. That work demonstrated that there were not proven cost-effective options for boron treatment. In preparation for a national survey of boron and chromium occurrence, it was discovered that existing analytical protocols sometimes '"missed" much of the total chromium that was present in water. It was determined that this was due to incomplete dissolution of particulates during routine Standard Method analysis of drinking water at pH 2.0. A more rigorous hydroxylamine digestion was developed and applied to circumvent this limitation. In relation to treatment, it was determined that sodium carbonate softening at pH 10.3 is a viable method of removing various inorganic contaminants including chromium from drinking water sources. The nationwide survey revealed that removals varied widely and were dependent on solution composition. Median removal of chromium was 92%. Linear and nonlinear empirical models were fit to crudely estimate the removal of various contaminants in the presence of other elements that are typically removed in the softening process (i.e. calcium, magnesium, silicon, iron, and aluminum). Boron was removed to a much lesser extent (median removal 2%) in this study, consistent with the general result of the literature review that enhanced treatments will be required for this contaminant. Modified precipitative softening was examined as a potentially attractive option to remove boron from natural waters. It was discovered that in some cases when magnesium and silicon were present, and if the pH was 10.8 ± 0.2, very high levels of boron removal (up to 90%) could be achieved versus 10% typically observed for conventional processes. This can be exploited to remove boron in waters naturally containing high levels of magnesium and silicon, or by adding supplemental amounts of either magnesium or silicon when one constituent is deficient. / Ph. D.

No description available.

No description available.

Scaling and corrosion cost industries all over the world millions of rands each year. Chemical treatment of water to prevent scale is expensive and can be hazardous. As a result industry is always looking for new, cheaper alternate methods of reducing scale. One such method is magnetic water treatment. Magnetic water treatment involves passing hard water (the main cause of scale) through a magnetic field. This method favors the precipitation of calcium carbonate in the form of aragonite instead of calcite. Aragonite is a softer, less tenacious material that does not adhere to the walls of pipes or heating surfaces. These particles remain in suspension and may settle out somewhere along the system where the velocity of the water has been reduced. A simple bench-top heating system was set up to determine whether magnetic treatment works and, if it does, to determine the optimum conditions under which it operates. A saturated solution of calcium carbonate was circulated through the heating system with, and without the magnets, so that comparisons could be made. The precipitate was analysed (via X-ray diffraction) to calculate the proportions of calcite and aragonite, while atomic absorption was used to test the hardness of the filtrate. This gave an indication of the effectiveness of the magnetic system. pH graphs and absorption graphs were plotted to compare the rates of precipitation. The precipitate was also observed under the electron microscope in order to view the different structures of calcite and aragonite. Experiments were carried out at different temperatures and different flow rates in order to test the effect of these parameters on the magnetic system. Results showed that the magnetic field increased the rate of precipitation and caused aragonite rather than calcite to be formed. This was in contradiction with most literature surveyed, which stated that magnetism increased the dissolution of calcium carbonate. Results indicated that the higher the temperature, the greater was the rate of precipitation and as a result, the greater the amount of aragonite formed, even without the magnets. Increased flow rate also increased the amount of aragonite formed. As a result hereof, conclusive results could not be obtained at high temperatures and high flow rates. / Thesis (M.Sc.Eng.)-University of Durban-Westville, 2004.

To avoid the spread of disease from sewage treatment effluents, pathogenic microorganisms present must be destroyed by one or a combination of disinfection methods. Chlorine remains the predominant disinfectant used although it consumes considerable amounts of energy and has associated exposure risks from production, transportation and storage of this poisonous gas. In addition to bacteria and other objectionable microorganisms, color, suspended and colloidal solids also require removal from water for reuse. Aluminum and iron additions have been used to coagulate and remove non-settleable solids. By electrically dissolving aluminum to form solids-bridging aluminum hydroxide, the water itself can also be disinfected by the effects of electrical fields and its reactions to form disinfectant chemicals and direct destruction of microorganisms in the water. This research investigated the effects of electrical current, time, and chloride concentration on the electrochemical disinfection of sewage treatment plant effluent using aluminum electrodes to substitute for chlorine disinfection.