Kinetics and Performance of Phosphate Removal from Hot Industrial Effluents Using a Continuous Flow Electrocoagulation Reactor

This work investigates the reaction kinetics of phosphate removal from hot industrial effluent streams in a continuous-recirculating electrocoagulation reactor using monopolar aluminum electrodes. The effects of several variables on the unit performance were also investigated. Results show that the rate of phosphate removal follows a first order reaction kinetics and that the percent of phosphate removal increases by increasing the solution circulation flow rate, increasing current density, and the solution temperature while it was found to decrease by increasing the initial phosphate ions concentration. Data generated in this study allow for a thorough analysis of the electrocoagulation reaction kinetics, the reaction activation energy, and the reaction rate controlling mechanism as well as the effects of several important parameters on the reactor's performance and the phosphate removal process economic viability.