Technical Considerations for Designing an Electrocoagulation Reactor for Wastewater Treatment: A Brief Review.

Abstract

Within the field of wastewater treatment, various treatment systems stand out, including those that use chemical reagents to promote a precipitation reaction. Among these chemical methods are electrochemical processes such as electrocoagulation systems, which have gained prominence due to their ease of operation and the cost-benefit associated with the accessibility of the coagulant material. This article aims to guide the implementation of the electrocoagulation process in various water remediation systems as an improvement option for any treatment train. Electrocoagulation is analyzed from the perspective of Electrochemical Engineering. Various essential aspects of electrocoagulation are addressed, including its definition, the types of reactions occurring within the reactor, hydrodynamics, the variables that need to be controlled and their influence on the process’s hydrodynamics, the factors to consider in the design of an electrocoagulation reactor, and some results obtained with this technique in the treatment of various wastewater and/or substrates. All of this is presented from a practical and easy-to-apply approach,providing a reference point for those interested in implementing this technology.