TITLE:
Electrocoagulation Process in the Context of Disinfection Mechanism
AUTHORS:
Djamel Ghernaout, Noureddine Elboughdiri
KEYWORDS:
Electrocoagulation (EC), Electrochemical Disinfection, Disinfection Mechanism, Wastewater Treatment, Organic Matter, Escherichia coli
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.7 No.2,
February
10,
2020
ABSTRACT: During the last three decades, the electrocoagulation (EC) process has known an exemplary renaissance in the field of water and wastewater treatment. Sev-eral researchers focused on applying this electrochemical technology in re-moving diverse pollutants such as pathogens. During EC method, the coagulant is furnished via solubilizing sacrificial electrodes upon an applied electric field. The easiness of the technology and the side phenomena involving the generation of gas bubbles are the major advantages. This work discusses briefly the main achievements and mechanisms in employing EC in disinfecting water. In the EC process, the microbes may be demobilized thanks to the direct adsorption on the surface of the anode pursued by electron transfer, and physical elimination through floating pathogens with formed hydrogen gas and/or precipitating with the produced flocs. Integrating EC with free radical assisted processes (e.g., electrooxidation), magnetic field and/or ultrasonic field remains an encouraging method to promote its implantation at full scale. Membrane processes should be considered as safe barriers towards disinfection by-products and hydroxyl radicals.