Removal of organic contaminants from the water used to wash the tanks of trucks transporting diesel: electrocoagulation in batch mode

Lostaunau-Silvera C.A.; Puris-Naupay J.E.; Zaldivar-Alvarez W.F.; King-Santos M.E.; Anahua-Balcon E.A.; Reátegui-Romero W. · Desalination and Water Treatment (2023) · DOI: 10.5004/dwt.2023.30132

Resumen

The removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD) from the wash water of trucks transporting diesel by electrocoagulation using Al-Al and Fe-Fe electrode arrays with a spacing of 0.03 m is a promising alternative. The experiments in batch mode were carried out with three current densities 80.2, 121.97, and 138.68 A/m2. The initial pH of the washing water was 7.3. During the process it experienced changes of 0.6 and –0.8 with the Al-and-Fe electrodes, respectively. With a current density of 80.2 A/m2, the COD removal efficiency stabilized in 20 min, reaching removals of 99.21% and 97.9% with Fe-and-Al electrodes, respectively. The energy consumption per unit volume of water treated and per unit mass of COD removed in both cases with Fe-and-Al electrodes were 3.97 and 4.03 kWh/m3 and 0.63 and 0.65 kWh/kg·COD, respectively. Electrocoagulation is a suitable process for the removal of organic contaminants from wastewater from washing the tanks of trucks that transport diesel fuel.

Instituciones: Universidad Nacional Agraria La Molina; Universidad Nacional de Ingeniería