Evaluation of electrocoagulation for the pre-treatment of coal seam water

摘要: This work explored the applicability of electrocoagulation (EC) using aluminium electrodes for removal contaminants which can scale and foul reverse osmosis membranes from a coal seam (CS) water sample, predominantly comprising sodium chloride, bicarbonate. In general, efficiency species responsible scaling fouling was enhanced by increasing applied current density/voltage contact times (30–60 s) in EC chamber. High efficiencies potentially formation units such as calcium (100%), magnesium (87.9%), strontium (99.3%), barium (100%) silicates (98.3%) were achieved. Boron more difficult to eliminate (13.3%) this postulated be due elevated solution pH. Similarly, fluoride (44%) also inhibited presence hydroxide ions pH range 9–10. Analysis produced flocs suggested dominant relatively amorphous boehmite (AlOOH), albeit Al(OH)3 not ruled out drying process employed may have converted oxyhydroxide species. Evidence adsorption on floc surface sites determined FTIR studies. The quantity released during higher than Faradaic amount that high salt concentrations had chemically reacted with electrodes.