Assessment of aggregation, growth, and strength of flocs using photometric dispersion analyser (PDA) in electrocoagulation of leachate with intensified microbubbles

• Published in: SEPARATION SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY
• Main Authors: Tarmizi, Tasnim; Kamaruddin, Mohamad Anuar; Niza, Noorzalila Muhammad
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: TAYLOR & FRANCIS INC 2025
• Subjects: Chemistry; Engineering
• Online Access: https://www-webofscience-com.uitm.idm.oclc.org/wos/woscc/full-record/WOS:001446244600001
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2025.2478634

Flocs in wastewater have a significant role in electrocoagulation (EC) with the aid of microbubbles. Characteristics of large and strong flocs structures are said to be an important factor influencing high removal efficiency in EC, yet flocs mechanism during EC has not been thoroughly studied compared to flocs formed during conventional coagulation. This study investigated flocs behavior (aggregation, growth and strength) through flocculation process in EC with and without intensification of microbubbles in leachate treatment. The intensification of microbubbles is introduced through the vibration of the electrode plates. The photometric dispersion analyzer was used to evaluate flocculation process by identifying the flocculation index (FI) value with variables including the current intensity (CI), vibration intensity (VI), and initial pH. Other than the FI, analysis of floc's particle sizes was also conducted. The results showed that at an initial pH of 5, the EC with intensified microbubbles (vibration electrode plates) exhibited a lower FI, indicating small particle size, where EC delivered better solid-liquid separation compared to higher FI with bigger particle size at non-intensified microbubbles (stationary electrode plates). The separation was more pronounced at elevated CIs of high current (3.5 and 4.5 A), with 2.8 V as the optimum vibration intensity.