Phosphorus Removal from Continuous Phosphate-Contaminated Water by Electrocoagulation using Aluminum and Iron Plates Alternately as Electrodes

The objective of this study was to investigate the effects of the main parameters on phosphate removal from continuous phosphate-contaminated water by electrocoagulation based on removal rate and system energy consumption. In the experiment, aluminum and iron plates were used as alternate electrodes and experiment parameters included initial phosphate concentration, current density, flow rate, and initial pH. The results indicated that increases of initial phosphate concentration and flow rate had reduced removal rate and energy consumption. Removal rate and system energy consumption increased by increasing current density. The maximum removal efficiency of 90% was obtained at flow rate 40 mL/min. The minimum energy consumption was 0.165 kWh/m(3) at flow rate 100 mL/min. With the increase of initial pH from 4 to 8, the removal rate increased and energy consumption decreased. When the pH was above 8, the removal rate decreased and energy consumption increased. The maximum removal efficiency of 92% and minimum energy consumption of 0.191 kWh/m(3) were obtained at pH 8.