Removal of turbidity and organic matter from car wash wastewater by electrocoagulation process

Car wash effluent is one of the important threats that can contaminate water resources for drinking, agriculture and industrial uses in Iran. The purpose of this study was assessment and analysis of the efficiency of the electrocoagulation process in the removal of turbidity and organic matter from car wash effluent. Data were taken through laboratory scale and sampling from different car wash sewages of Ahvaz, Iran. In this experimental study, we used a bipolar method to convert alternative electricity to direct current. The important factors of our study were pH, electrical potential, voltage and reaction times. Results show that the percentage of turbidity removal in the electrocoagulation (EC) with an aluminum electrode (E) with an optimum pH = 7 were 75 and 99.59 in 10 and 30 voltages, respectively. According to results, the percentage of chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in the electrocoagulation with an iron electrode with an optimum pH = 3 were 67 and 94 in 10 and 30 voltages. Consequently, electrocoagulation is a comparatively suitable process for turbidity and organic matter removal from car wash wastewater.