Cost-effective electrocoagulation process for the remediation of fluoride from pretreated photovoltaic wastewater

Electrochemical method was carried out to remove fluoride ions from pretreated photovoltaic wastewater using an electrocoagulation technique, and using aluminum sheets as a working electrode. Distance between electrodes, number of electrodes, pH and current density were determined to be optimum at 1 cm, 3, 7, and 18.51 A/m(2), respectively. An operation cost including sacrificial electrode materials and electrical energy requirements was also performed for the treatment process. Under the experimental conditions energy consumption was determined as 0.32 kW h/m(3). The results show that the electrocoagulation can be applied to photovoltaic wastewater post-treatment. (C) 2014 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.