Removal of Arsenate from Aqueous Solution by Electro-Coagulation Method Using Al-Fe Electrodes

Abstract

Arsenic contamination in ground water is a worldwide problem. In the present work electro-coagulation (EC) has been evaluated as a treatment technology for arsenate [As(V)] contaminated water. EC is carried out using with Aluminum anode and Iron Cathode to assess their efficiency. Experiments were carried out to remove arsenic by the EC covering wide range in operating conditions such as pH(3–9), voltage (2-10 volts) and processing time (0–14 min), initial arsenic conc. (2-30 mgL-1). Arsenate removal obtained was highest at pH 5-8 with 2-5 mgL-1 conc. of arsenate as initial concentration after 12 minutes processing time at 3 volts. The technique was able to bring down arsenate concentration in ground water to less than 10 μgL-1.