Efficacy of Electrocoagulation Treatment for the Abatement of Heavy Metals: An Overview of Critical Processing Factors, Kinetic Models and Cost Analysis

The electrocoagulation (EC) process introduces coagulants by electrochemical means, and is widely adopted for removing heavy metals, besides other contaminants, such as organic pollutants, suspended and dissolved solids, colloidal materials, etc. However, its capability can vary significantly, depending on the operating conditions. Although most of the investigations so far are limited at the laboratory level with artificially prepared solutions or industrial effluent lacking full- and field-scale studies, the success of the process depends a lot on optimizing the process variable. It has been found that the current density (typically 1-20 mA/cm(2)), type of electrode (generally aluminum or iron) and minimum electrolysis time are the key process parameters that influence performance. Furthermore, key mechanisms involved in the EC process, including charge neutralization, reduction-oxidation and precipitation/co-precipitation, are crucial for pollutant abatement. This review presents a detailed study undertaking all significant parameters that play a crucial role in the EC process, its mechanism, and improving the efficiency of this process by optimization of these parameters, along with suitable kinetic models.

Automated summary

The electrocoagulation (EC) process is widely used for removing heavy metals and other contaminants by introducing coagulants through electrochemical means. However, its effectiveness depends on the operating conditions and optimizing the process variables is crucial. Key parameters such as current density, electrode type, and electrolysis time significantly influence performance, while mechanisms such as charge neutralization, reduction-oxidation, and precipitation/co-precipitation play a crucial role in pollutant abatement. This review provides a detailed study on the significant parameters, mechanisms, and optimization of the EC process for improving efficiency.