The study investigates the effectiveness of urea removal from wastewater using electrocoagulation and its combination with chemical coagulation methods.
Electrocoagulation (EC), electrocoagulation followed by chemical coagulation (EC-CC), and chemical coagulation followed by electrocoagulation (CC-EC) have been compared for their ability to remove urea from wastewater. The findings reveal key differences between these methods. The technique of EC alone was effective, achieving significant removal rates, with the most successful combination found to be EC-CC.
Urea, common in human and agricultural waste, poses environmental concerns due to its conversion to ammonia, which can harm aquatic ecosystems and contribute to soil eutrophication. This research taps directly onto the pressing issue of reducing urea concentrations to comply with stringent wastewater regulations.
The analysis conducted focused on multiple electrocoagulation parameters, including current density, electrode spacing, and the specific types of aluminum coagulants used. The experimental setup achieved notable outcomes, particularly highlighting the advantageous cost-effectiveness of the EC method over the combined techniques.
Results indicated marginal improvements when utilizing EC-CC, irrelevant of the coagulant type, which might suggest new avenues for treatment practices. Conversely, CC-EC showed significant drawbacks. These findings bolster the perspective on the electrocoagulation method as not only effective but also less expensive, guiding future wastewater treatment strategies.
Prior works have showcased the integration of chemical methods improving costs and efficiency, but this study distinctly highlights the standalone performance of electrocoagulation.
This exploration emphasizes the significance of optimized parameters to achieve maximum urea removal efficiency, which was recorded as high as 53.80% under specific conditions.
The conclusion drawn from this study advocates for the EC process as the foremost strategy for wastewater treatment targeting urea removal, paving the way for future innovations and refinements within the field. Armed with this evidence, wastewater treatment plants can reassess their approaches to managing urea, aspiring to achieve more sustainable and environmentally sound solutions to wastewater pollution.
