Effects of supporting electrolytes in treatment of arsenate-containing wastewater with power generation by aluminumair fuel cell electrocoagulation

Aluminum-air fuel cell electrocoagulation was evaluated for arsenate removal during power production. Effects of operational parameters (type and concentration of individual and mixed supporting electrolytes and initial pH) were investigated. 1 mgL(-1) arsenate in 1 L of anolyte (with 10 mM NaCl) was reduced to 1 mu gL(-1) in 4h, power density produced was 112mW/m(2). 8 mM Na2SO4 mixed with 10 mM NaCl created optimal conditions as mixed supporting electrolyte. Power density increased to 308 mW/m(2) and arsenate was reduced to 15 mu g L-1 after 24 h. This indicates aluminum-air fuel cell electrocoagulation is useful treatment process. (c) 2017 The Korean Society of Industrial and Engineering Chemistry. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.