Purification of Heavy Metals Contaminated Groundwater by ElectroCoagulation Process Using Graphite Electrodes

Abstract

The application of the electro-coagulation process to the identified contaminated groundwater at Abala community, a suburb of Ilorin metropolis in Kwara state, Nigeria, is the subject of this study. The groundwater samples were electro-coagulated in a batch reactor of 2.5L containing 1 litre volume of contaminated groundwater for 1 hour per run using a DC power supply ranging from 10v to 20v at constant current 5amp and 2amp to 6amp at constant voltage 10v using graphite electrodes. The results revealed that electrocoagulation process can reduce turbidity, TDS, Electrical Conductivity, BOD, TOC, COD, and color by 97.3 %, 91.2 %, 91.1 %, 96 %, 99.7%, 99.7%, 79.9%, and 82.96 %, respectively. Through Atomic Absorption spectroscopy analytical study, the process also shows removal efficiency of Manganese, Iron, and Zinc of 82.96 percent, 70.0 percent, and 95.30 percent, respectively. The outcome of the electro-coagulation process met the World Health Organization (WHO), the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA), and the Water Environment Partnership In Asia (WEPA) criteria for both drinking water and general industrial wastewater discharge guidelines. The electro-coagulation treatment for contaminated groundwater was efficient and effective, therefore it is recommended in this study for Nigerians.