Electrocoagulation for Industrial and Municipal Wastewater Treatment¶

Coagulation & Advanced Treatment • Est. CapEx: $11,000 USD • Lifespan: 7–15 Years

Technical Overview¶

Electrocoagulation (EC) uses low-voltage direct current and sacrificial metal electrodes to remove a wide range of contaminants from water. It is used for industrial and municipal wastewater treatment, offering an alternative to chemical coagulation with reduced sludge generation and simpler operation.

Key Specifications & Engineering Parameters¶

Parameter	Specification
Category	Coagulation & Advanced Treatment
Capital Cost (CapEx)	$11,000 USD
Power / Energy	Electric / Motorized
Target Scale	Village / Community (200–1,000+ people)
Standard Lifespan	7–15 Years
Technology Maturity	Commercially Available
Primary Mechanism	An electric current is applied to iron or aluminum electrodes submerged in water. The anode releases metal cations (e.g., Fe2+, Al3+), which neutralize charged particles and form metal hydroxides. These hydroxides act as coagulants, aggregating contaminants into flocs that float due to evolved hydrogen gas and are then removed by filtration or sedimentation.

Engineering Trade-Offs¶

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Cross-Reference & Interactive Tools¶

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