Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
International Symposium on Sustainable Aquatic Research, İzmir, Türkiye, 21 - 22 Mayıs 2024, ss.108-116, (Tam Metin Bildiri)
Since leachate is a complex and highly variable wastewater, it is the most difficult to treat in
wastewater. Electrochemical processes are among the most preferred methods in leachate
treatment. These processes show simple equipment, ease of use, robustness, versatility and
sensitivity to automation. Electrocoagulation (EC) is a wastewater treatment process used to
destabilize colloidal suspensions that cause agglomeration of pollutants by using electrical
energy to dissolve metals such as aluminum and iron. The most preferred electrode materials
are aluminum and iron, as they are economical, effective and easily soluble in the
electrocoagulation process. In the case of using aluminum electrodes, it produces Al3+ and
Al(OH)2+ species, which are initially converted to Al(OH)3 and subsequently converted to
Aln(OH)3n as a result of the electrolytic dissolution of the aluminum electrode. In this study,
the effects of current density, initial pH, distance between electrodes, mixing speed and initial
temperature on turbidity removal efficiency were investigated in the removal of turbidity from
leachate by electrocoagulation process. Experimental studies were used in a 20cmx8cmx10cm
reactor made of plexiglass. The electrodes are arranged in a monopolar parallel arrangement
with three anodes and three cathodes. In electrochemical processes, 400 mL samples taken from
filtered and 1/4 diluted raw leachate were placed in the reactor. Samples were taken at different
time intervals during the 40-minute application time. Aqualytic brand AL250T-IR model
turbidimeter was used for turbidity analysis of the samples. In the experiments, turbidity removal efficiencies were determined according to current density 15-25 mA/cm2, pH 3-9.5,
temperature 20-60oC, stirring speed 100-300 rpm, distance between electrodes 1-2 cm. In the
light of the data obtained, the highest turbidity removal efficiency was determined as 62% at
current density 20 mA/cm2, pH 5, initial temperature 20°C, distance between electrodes 1 cm,
stirring speed 300 rpm. It can be said that this is due to the tendency of aluminum to hydrolyze
and adsorb colloidal structures on the surface of the electrode. Thus, it can be said that the
electrocoagulation process is a suitable process for turbidity removal from leachate.