Abstract
In researching an electrochemical method for the clarification of turbid waters, it was discovered that there may be also some usefulness of this method in removing dissolved impurities. This investigation was initiated to determine which ions can be removed and to what extent they are removed using this method. The electrochemical unit consisted of a set of aluminum electrodes between which the untreated water flows. A direct electric current is passed across the electrodes, releasing Al(OH) ₃ in the water, thus supplying a coagulating agent which was the major agent of the treatment. Various influent waters were prepared by adding to distilled water a compound containing the ion to be tested. Chemical analyses performed on both the influents and effluents indicated that there could be very good removal of iron, manganese, silicates, and phosphates while there would be little or no removal of ammonium, nitrate, nitrite, and sulphate. The major mechanisms of removal of the various ions seemed to be identical to conventional means of removal. Further tests were run on influents containing the insecticides DDT and ethyl parathion and the herbicide 2,4-D. Very good removal of DDT was obtained while there was no significant removal of the other two. Also two well waters containing iron were tested which showed that iron removal from a natural water is as qood as from the prepared influents. Sewage effluent was run through the system and the removal fo the various components was the same as in previous tests. The basic conclusions drawn from the tests are that certain ions and DDT can be removed from water using the electrochemical method and that the basic mechanism of removal is adsorption to the Al(OH) ₃ flocs.
Peters, Joseph Ludwig (1978). Removal of dissolved impurities from water by electrochemical action. Texas A&M University. Texas A&M University. Libraries. Available electronically from
https : / /hdl .handle .net /1969 .1 /DISSERTATIONS -199075.