This study evaluated using an electrocoagulation process with solar power to remove excess phosphorus from surface waters. The process uses aluminum electrodes and an applied electric current to dissolve the metal into the water, facilitating the removal of phosphates through precipitation and coagulation. Testing of the laboratory scale reactor showed it was capable of removing 99% of phosphates from synthetic water, surface water, and treated wastewater. The removal efficiency increased with higher conductivity and more applied power. Testing also demonstrated the system could reduce total and fecal coliform bacteria by 90-99% with increased voltage.

1. Phosphorus (P) impairment of surface waters is a
major concern in USA and worldwide. Excessive
nutrients are loaded into water bodies, resulting in
eutrophication causing many water quality problems. The
aim of this study is to develop an in-situ P removal
system using solar powered electrocoagulation process to
address this water quality problem with sustainable
approach. Electrocoagulation (EC) is the process by
which metal is dissolved in a solution by applying a
current through submerged electrodes. The dissolved
metal facilitates the removal of dissolved phosphate in
the water through precipitation and coagulation.
1. Identify the effect of conductivity, pH, influent
phosphorus concentration, electrode material, and
power applied, on the phosphorus removal efficiency
of the reactor.
2. Develop a laboratory scale reactor, capable of
removing phosphorus from surface water (SW) and
treated wastewater (WW).
3. Determine the EC reactor’s ability to remove total
coliform (TC) and fecal coliform (FC) bacteria.
4. Use results obtained from the testing as a basis to
project and scale up this technology.
Removal of Phosphate from Surface and Wastewater via Electrocoagulation
Jabari Lee* Daniel Franco*, Nicole Cohen**, Sebastian Arbelaez*, Dr. Jong-Yeop Kim, P.E*
Environmental Engineering Department, Florida Gulf Coast University*. John Hopkins Uni.**
It is recommended that additional bench scaled testing
be conducted before implementation of this system in
order to identify the most cost effective operating current
and power. This will permit maximization of the
phosphorus removal with the desired water quality levels.
It is recommended that further bacterial testing is
conducted to fully characterize the optimum voltage for
the removal of fecal and total coliforms. In addition, other
parameters within the EC process should be studied to
analyze their influence in the removal of phosphate and
coliform colonies. The counting methodology of the
coliform colonies is recommended by the use of a scanner
apparatus, such as the 10X-15X binocular device.
Special Acknowledgements
Dr. Simeon Komisar, Dr. Jong-Yeop Kim, P.E.
Attour, A., et al. "Influence of Operating Parameters on Phosphate Removal from Water by
Electrocoagulation Using Aluminum Electrodes." Separation and Purification Technology
(2014): 124-129.
Vasudevan, S. et al. "Studies on the Removal of Phosphate from Drinking Water by
Electrocoagulation Process." Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research (2008): 2018-
2023.
Phosphorus Discharge Limits vs. EC Treatment
Synthetic Water Testing: Aluminum Electrodes
Cost Energy, O&M
Total Coliform and Fecal Coliform Testing
Proposed EC Installation in Clarifier
Source: (Tetra Tech,2011)ABSTRACT
CONCLUSION
1. Wastewater tests indicate the feasibility of EC as a
tertiary treatment in WWTPs, where 99% phosphate
removal was reached.
2. The removal efficiency of the system demonstrated to
be directly proportional to the conductivity and power
supplied to the sample.
3. Surface water tests show the potential of using
Electrocoagulation in highly polluted lakes, such as
Lake Okeechobee.
4. Electro-disinfection was shown to be achieved by the
EC process.
5. TC and FC colonies were proven to be removed by
90% and 99% when applying 3V and 6V, respectively.
6. Average Annual Cost (O&M & Energy):
$199,728+$143,100 = $342,828
RECOMMENDATIONS
REFERENCES
Influent: 1.5 mg/L of PhosphorusInfluent: 0.15 mg/L of Phosphorus
RESULTS
OBJECTIVES
METHODOLOGY
A square Plexiglas container with two aluminum
electrodes on a stir plate served as the EC reactor. The
distance between the electrodes and submerged electrode
surface area were kept constant. 1 liter water samples
were tested in the reactor for 60 minutes. Water quality
was measured prior to EC. During testing 20 mL samples
were extracted at specific intervals to measure P
concentration and water quality parameters. To establish
the effect of various treatment parameters on the EC
process, solutions containing P with specific pH and
conductivity were created in the lab and tested. The SW
and WW samples used were collected locally within 12
hours of testing. SW was collected from Billy Creek. WW
was collected from Three Oaks Wastewater Treatment
Plant.
This study examines the effects of treatment
parameters (pH, conductivity, current density, initial
concentration of P, and type of electrode) on the
performance of the EC process and evaluated the required
electrical energy consumption rate to achieve 90%
removal of P. It also investigates the ability of EC to
remove concentrations of P under 2 mg/L from surface
water and treated wastewater. P concentrations ranging
from 0.02 - 2.0 mg/L were reduced by 99% in under 60
minutes by EC with aluminum electrodes. The removal
efficiency was demonstrated to be directly proportional to
the conductivity and power supplied. Since P removal
mechanisms in EC are largely dependent upon electro-
chemical coagulation and precipitation, filtration of the
effluent as a post treatment process is recommended.
INTRODUCTION
• DC Power W = Voltage V ∗ Current A =
5 V ∗ 0.01 A = 0.05W
• Contact time = 2 hours
• Energy consumed for 99% Removal of 2
mg
L
influent
= 0.05
W
L
∗ 2 h = 0.1
Wh
L
•
0.01 Wh
L
∗
1 kW
1000 W
∗
3.785 L
1 gall
= 3.8E−4 kWh
gallon treated
• Average daily energy cost for system in Three Oaks WWTP
(Factor of Safety = 3):
3 ∗
3.8E−4
kWh
gallon treated
∗
6 millions gallons treated
day
∗
$0.08
kWh
=
$547.2
day
• Average annual energy cost for system in Three Oaks WWTP :
$547.2
day
∗ 365
days
year
= ൗ$199,728
year
• Annual Cost for Aluminum Electrodes = $143,100
Shown above, the EC reactor configuration. To the
left circled in red, the white floc and precipitants
produced from EC form a distinct layer.