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Optimization of a combined electrocoagulation-electroflotation reactor

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Abstract

This work studies the efficiency of an electroflotation process for the separation of the solids produced during the electrocoagulation treatment of three different types of wastewater: kaolin suspension, coloured organic solution and oil-in-water emulsion. Additionally, a combined electrocoagulation-electroflotation reactor is designed and optimized taking into account the effect of current density, residence time, pollutant concentration and the ratio floated/settled solids. To do this, an experimental design with response surface methodology (RSM) has been used. Results show that electroflotation is a good alternative to the removal of oil microdrops and dyes, but it is not recommended for the separation of solids formed during electrocoagulation of colloid suspensions due to its high density. It has been found that the use of aluminium leads to better results than the use of iron in the treatment of oil-in-water emulsions and coloured solutions. In these cases, the use of a combined electrocoagulation-electroflotation reactor is recommended and the effect of the main inputs has been studied.

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Acknowledgments

The authors acknowledge funding support from the EU and Spanish Government through the MINECO Project CTM2013-45612-R, FEDER 2007–2013 PP201010 (Planta Piloto de Estación de Estación de Regeneración de Aguas Depuradas) and INNOCAMPUS

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering, Universidad de Castilla La Mancha, Campus Universitario 12, E13071, Ciudad Real, Spain

    C. Jiménez, C. Sáez, P. Cañizares & M. A. Rodrigo

Authors
  1. C. Jiménez
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  2. C. Sáez
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  3. P. Cañizares
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  4. M. A. Rodrigo
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. A. Rodrigo.

Additional information

Responsible editor: Bingcai Pan

Highlights

- Combined electrocoagulation-electroflotation is very efficient for low-density flocs.

- Aluminium electrocoagulation leads to better electroflotation of oil-in-water emulsions than iron electrocoagulation.

- Removal of dye flocs by electroflotation is faster when aluminium is used as coagulant but the total removal attained is comparable to that obtained with iron.

- Electrocoagulation and electroflotation can be successfully combined in a single prototype.

- RSM models successfully the results obtained in a combined electrocoagulation-electroflotation reactor.

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Jiménez, C., Sáez, C., Cañizares, P. et al. Optimization of a combined electrocoagulation-electroflotation reactor. Environ Sci Pollut Res 23, 9700–9711 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6199-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-016-6199-y

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