Projects / Programmes
Optimization of the electrocoagulation process for the purpose of remediation of heavily contaminated industrial and municipal wastewater
| Code |
Science |
Field |
Subfield |
| 1.08.00 |
Natural sciences and mathematics |
Control and care of the environment |
|
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| B003 |
Biomedical sciences |
Ecology |
| Code |
Science |
Field |
| 1.05 |
Natural Sciences |
Earth and related Environmental sciences |
Electrocoagulation, waste water, leachate, water recycling, electrodes
Researchers (1)
| no. |
Code |
Name and surname |
Research area |
Role |
Period |
No. of publicationsNo. of publications |
| 1. |
36451 |
PhD Primož Oprčkal |
Geology |
Head |
2019 - 2021 |
124 |
Organisations (1)
Abstract
Electrocoagulation is a scientifically proven effective procedure for the treatment of contaminated waste water (for example, industrial wastewater or leachate from municipal landfill sites), which is not yet widely used. The electrocoagulation procedure is roughly based on the use of an electrochemical cell with electrodes, which can be made from aluminium and / or iron. During the electrocoagulation process, a suspension of particles with bound contaminants is destabilized due to a change in their total surface charge (zeta potential) to the isoelectric point, leading to adhesion - coagulation. At the same time, the anodic corrosion process is occurring, which releases Al3+ or Fe2+ ions into the contaminated water (depending on the composition of electrodes), which constitute the coagulation agent. This leads to complex chemical interactions between pollutants and released coagulant ions (oxidation, co-precipitation and coagulation, surface sorption, incorporation into insoluble minerals - hydroxides, advanced oxidation processes ...), which leads to purification of water.
The project addresses the problem of management of contaminated industrial and municipal waste water, which represents an environmental problem, because it causes the impoverishment of drinking water resources in terms of quality and quantity
The current state of the art allows many possibilities for research and development to optimize this highly promising method. This is possible through the following innovative approaches to be used within the project: a) improvement of the design of the electrochemical cell, b) new combinations with complementary methods for the treatment of waste water, c) the use of nanotechnology, d) improving the separation of floccules from purified water using various granular materials, including industrial recycled materials.
An optimized electrocoagulation process will be the basis for the development of a multi-stage cleaning process for recycling waste water.
In the first phase of the research, sampling and detailed characterization of samples of contaminated water will be carried out. The leachate samples from the municipal waste landfill will be taken from the Leskovec municipal landfill near Novo mesto, which is managed by CeROD. Industrial waste water will be sampled at HIDRIA company. Municipal waste water will be sampled at the outflow of a small biological treatment plant in the village of Hruševo (Municipality Dobrova - Polhov Gradec).
The second phase of research will include the design of a laboratory pilot electrochemical cell according to information on the best technical solutions published in the scientific literature.
Experimental work will be carried out at the level of laboratory simulations of procedures according to the batch principle of cleaning. Firstly, the effect of water purification in the dependence of the adjustment of the basic parameters will be studied: the initial pH of the water, the temperature, the composition of the electrodes (Al or Fe), the electric current density, the distance between the electrodes, the duration of the process.
In the continuation, the optimization of the electrocoagulation process will include the testing of the use of new advanced solutions: nanomaterials (zero-valence iron nanoparticles), environmentally friendly coagulation agents (for example, K2FeO4), AOP (hydrogen peroxide), aeration by air bubbles, mixing and combining with flotation processes and filtration through various granular media, such as zeolites, activated carbon, and recycled materials (steel slag, ash, iron hydroxides from steel, red mud, etc.).
In the third phase of the research, research will be carried out for the recycling of waste sludge from the cleaning process.
The results of research to optimize the efficiency of cleaning will be evaluated by producing models of interdependent variables that will show the most effective combinations of tested solutions.
The key useful value of the projec
Significance for science
The research within the scope of the postdoctoral applicative project will offer an effective and comprehensive scientific approach to the development of electrocoagulation, which is a promising process for cleaning of industrial and municipal waste water. Despite the fact that this process of water purification has in science been known for about 120 years, it has not yet undergone a general application because it requires the optimization of key process parameters, the development of the design of an electrochemical cell, and additional research to better understand the physical and chemical processes of water purification by electrocoagulation.
Therefore, according to the current state-of-the-art, in the framework of the research project, the possibilities for optimizing process parameters (pH, temperature, composition of the electrodes and electrode configuration, electric current density) will be studied for three different types of polluted water: oily industrial waste water, leachate from the landfill, municipal waste water. The study will provide a unique opportunity to compare the efficiency of cleaning different types of wastewater with the electrocoagulation process with respect to differences in parameter optimization.
The following will be carried out in the direction of upgrading the electrocoagulation process with innovative approaches: (i) using iron nanoparticles in the electrocoagulation process, (ii) using aeration and hydrogen peroxide to induce advanced oxidation processes, and (iii) using alternative chemical agents, such as ferrates (Fe (VI)), to improve the efficiency of purification of water by electrocoagulation.
However, since the final objective of the research will be to develop a process of cleaning selected waste water types for the purpose of their recycling, the advanced electrocoagulation process will be further upgraded by a complementary process of water filtration using conventional and alternative filter materials.
A holistic approach to water purification with electrocoagulation will also be demonstrated through the project by conducting research to develop the process of recycling waste sludge from water purification for the construction of building materials - geotechnical composites. The development of options for the sustainable management of waste from water purification can greatly affect the acceptability of the process of electrocoagulation from an economic and environmental point of view.
All these activities are important for the development of Slovenian science in the development of advanced wastewater treatment processes for recycling and re-use purposes, both at national and international level.
Significance for the country
The applicative postdoctoral project will bring direct benefits from developmental aspects to the economic entity - the co-financier, Deltaplan, as well as to the research organization where the researcher is employed. The key interest of both is that the results of their joint engagement do not remain merely theoretical, but that their sustainability and further implementation can be ensured. This is also the purpose of the research approach in the prepared project application, based on the connection with the company from the industry (HIDRIA), public companiy (CeROD) and the local community (Hruševo). Research and development for the optimization of the advanced electrocoagulation process will already be basically carried out on realistic water samples, which in the case of favourable research results, will enable direct transfer to a higher technological level and thus the dissemination and marketing of knowledge. The research will also take into account the economic sustainability of the solutions provided, and not only the contribution to basic science. Only such an approach can provide the potential for wider implementation of advanced electrocoagulation technology in different environments, which is the greatest guarantee to the researcher and the co-financer for the sustainable use and marketing of results.
Deltaplan and the researcher successfully participated in the past European projects LIFE + ReBirth and LIFE RusaLCA. As an example of successful cooperation in the field of development and implementation of advanced water treatment methods, we can highlight the LIFE RusaLCA project. Within this project, the researcher and the co-financer successfully developed the technology of water nanoremediation to a higher technological level, which was the main result of the project, which culminated in the construction of a prototype wastewater treatment plant for municipal waste water recycling in the municipality of Šentrupert in Dolenjska.
The project represents an excellent opportunity for Deltaplan to continue and upgrade its strategy for the implementation of advanced water management solutions.
The results of the project will bring direct benefits to Deltaplan, which will acquire knowledge and technical solutions that will enable it to become even better positioned on the market, offering complex solutions for cleaning various types of waste water for purposes of recycling and reuse. The results will enable immediate use in the preparation of projects in the field of development of integrated water management in urban areas and in industrial activities, which is one of the activities of the economic operator. On the other hand, the optimized process of electrocoagulation will enable Deltaplan to penetrate the market of technological solutions for the cleaning of highly problematic industrial waste water for those branches of industry, which is faced with negative economic as well as with environmental impacts due to the discharge of waste water.
Most important scientific results
Interim report
Most important socioeconomically and culturally relevant results
Interim report
