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International Research Journal of Engineering and Technology (IRJET)

e-ISSN: 2395-0056

Volume: 09 Issue: 06 | Jun 2022

p-ISSN: 2395-0072

www.irjet.net

Removal of Heavy Metals from Water using Electrocoagulation Prof. Neena Sunny1, Riya Rose Binoy2, Ansa Benny3, Reebu Jacob4, Abina Muhammed5 1HOD,

Dept. of Civil Engineering, MA College of Engineering, Kerala, India Students, Dept. of Civil Engineering, MA College of Engineering, Kerala, India ---------------------------------------------------------------------***--------------------------------------------------------------------2,3,4,5UG

Abstract - In this study, removal of manganese (Mn) and

requirement. However, electrochemical technologies have turned back since it is eco-friendly technology [3], [4].

copper (Cu) from a sample by electrocoagulation (EC) method using iron and zinc electrode plates were investigated. The influences of various operational parameters such as different electrodes (iron and zinc), time (15,30,45,60,75min) and different supporting electrolyte (sodium chloride (NaCl) and calcium chloride (CaCl2)) on removal efficiency were investigated. It was seen from the results that removal efficiencies were significantly affected by the electrode and the supporting electrolyte. The experimental results indicated that after 60 minutes of electrocoagulation the highest Cu and Mn removal of 93.57% and 76.96% were achieved using iron electrode and supporting electrolyte-NaCl respectively. The experimental results revealed that the removal of heavy metal ions by our electrochemical cell was successful. Key Words: treatment.

In this study, the removal of manganese and copper from the simulated solution was investigated using iron and zinc electrodes by electrocoagulation (EC). Experiments were performed to determine the effects of varying operational parameters such as; time ,electrode and supporting electrolyte on metal removal efficiency.

2. ELECTROCOAGULATION (EC) PROCESS Electrocoagulation is an electrochemical process with reactive anode and cathode .When current is applied to the system by a power supply, metallic ions are dissolved from anode and transferred to the bulk. The metallic ions combine into larger flocs and can be removed easily[5].Water molecules are hydrolyzed at the cathode, simultaneously. Two different mechanism proposed for iron electrodes can be seen in the reactions (1)-(6).

Heavy metal removal, electrocoagulation,

1.INTRODUCTION ( Size 11 , cambria font)

Mechanism I

The presence of heavy metals in water and wastewater causes serious environmental and health problems because of their solubility in water. Although organic contaminants can be biodegradable, inorganic pollutants cannot be biodegradable and they can enter to the food chain and accumulate in living organisms [1].

In the anode: 4 Fe(s) → 4 Fe2+ (aq) + 8eIn the cathode:

Heavy metals like manganese, copper, nickel, lead and zinc are resulted from several sources such as metal and processing industries, batteries, mining, fertilizer and pesticides.

Impact Factor value: 7.529

(2)

In the solution: 4 Fe2+(aq)+10 H2O(l)+O2(g) → 4 Fe(OH)3(s) + 8 H+ (aq)

(3)

In the anode : Fe(s)→ (4)

Fe2+

(aq)

2e-

In cathode: 2 H2O(l) (5)

In spite of the fact that electrocoagulation is not a new technology which has been known from 19th centuries, electrocoagulation hasn’t been widely applied because of relatively large capital investment, expensive electricity

8 H+ (aq) + 8 e- → 4 H2(g)

Mechanism II

Children and adults who drink water with high levels of manganese for a long time may have problems with memory, attention, and motor skills. Infants may develop learning and behaviour problems if they drink water with too much manganese in it. Although copper does not affect body in small concentration, high amount copper accumulation may be resulted with toxic reactions like puking, cramps and spasms which may lead to death [2].

(1)

2e-→

H2(g)

In solution: Fe2+ (aq) + 2 OH- (aq) →Fe(OH)2(s)

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OH-

(aq)

(6)

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