Dependency of removal efficiency on electrode arrangements in the treatment of oily wastewaters by electrocoagulation

Turbidity and chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiencies were analyzed depending on electrode layouts by performing electrocoagulation experiments using horizontal and vertical electrochemical cells. Multiple aluminum plate electrodes were placed into different sections of the electrochemical cells. Removal efficiencies at the horizontal electrochemical cell were always higher than the one’s obtained from the vertical electrochemical cell. But the use of vertical electrochemical cell consumed less energy during the electrocoagulation tests. The highest COD removal efficiencies were 97% and 88% in the horizontal and vertical electrochemical cells, respectively. However, the energy consumption for COD removal in the horizontal electrochemical cell was 47% higher than the energy consumed in the vertical electrochemical cell.