What are the Advantages of EC for Arsenic Removal?
Arsenic is categorized as a heavy metal for use in the treatment of water and wastewater. It is well known for its toxicity and, if ingested in large enough levels, can lead to a variety of health issues in people. In addition to the neurological, respiratory, cardiovascular, immunological, and endocrine systems, arsenic can have negative effects on the skin, liver, kidneys, bladder, and prostate.
The US-EPA has set the drinking water guideline at 10 ppb, as the highest permitted concentration in drinking water, due to the numerous health hazards linked with arsenic. Therefore, removing arsenic from water is the aim of all treatment techniques. There are many advantages of arsenic removal using electrocoagulation techniques. Let us have a look at some.
Techniques for removal of arsenic
Arsenite {As (III)} and arsenate {As (V)} are the two primary oxidation states of arsenic, which is frequently found in groundwater.
Due to its higher solubility and greater toxicity, As(III) is the harder substance to purge. Iron has been found to be the most efficient removal techniques. Ion exchange, reverse osmosis (RO), oxidation, and coagulation, are a few techniques for elimination. Its electrochemical equivalent, electrocoagulation, enhances the efficiency of coagulation.
Advantages of electrocoagulation for arsenic removal
The advantages of electrocoagulation (EC) for the removal of arsenic from water, in comparison to other treatment processes will be covered below.
· Improved As Removal (III)
As(III) is often difficult to remove using other treatment techniques, since it is significantly more soluble than As (V). In order to make As(III) more reactive with the medium of removal, a procedure is introduced before ion exchange, RO, and coagulation, because those methods alone cannot remove As(III) to acceptable levels.
As(III) can coagulate and precipitate with EC by an unidentified reaction mechanism effectively, enough for adequate elimination through just that one procedure. Although, extremely effective EC removal of As(V) is equivalent to coagulation and other treatments; nevertheless, what distinguishes it from the others is its higher removal rates of As(III).
· More rapid removal rate
The total elimination process can go significantly more quickly, if an oxidation phase is not required before EC. Additionally, some oxidation processes can take a very lengthy time to complete, significantly increasing the necessary reaction time for effective treatment.
The EC removal of arsenic can be completed in little more than an hour, with optimal power supplied to the electrodes, and extra oxidant may be added beforehand to speed up the reaction time.
· Simple and less expensive lifecycles
It might be challenging for communities with less secure financial situations, to finance a system that will treat drinking water to safe levels for human use, because other arsenic treatment systems can be complex and expensive.
On the other hand, EC systems are more user-friendly and have a reduced lifecycle cost. These systems are simple to maintain, clean, and install.
· May not need a prior oxidation step
According to the idea underlying the enhanced removal of As (III) by EC, in-situ oxidation of As(III) takes place during EC. As(V), which is produced as a result of the oxidation and is significantly less soluble than As, is considerably easier to precipitate out of solution. This deliberate oxidation of As(III) to As(V) occurs before other treatment processes, however, it may not be necessary before an EC step.
Conclusion
Arsenic removal from drinking water is essential for maintaining global public health, and security. Although, the earlier approaches are effective, a new approach might be simpler, quicker, more effective, and less expensive across its whole lifecycle. One such technique is electrocoagulation.
Netsol Water has installed our specialized electrocoagulation treatment systems, for clients all over the world, since we are aware of the potential of EC treatment, for the removal of arsenic in drinking water applications.
Netsol Water is Greater Noida-based leading water & wastewater treatment plant manufacturer. We are industry's most demanding company based on client review and work quality. We are known as best commercial RO plant manufacturers, industrial RO plant manufacturer, sewage treatment plant manufacturer, Water Softener Plant Manufacturers and effluent treatment plant manufacturers. Apart from this 24x7 customer support is our USP. Call on +91-9650608473, or write us at enquiry@netsolwater.com for any support, inquiry or product-purchase related query.