Removal of hardness from drinking water by electrocoagulation using iron electrodes

In the present study laboratory studies are carried out to examine the removal of hardness by electrocoagulation process from drinking water using iron rod electrodes in batch mode. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficiency of EC process in removal of water hardness through iron-rod electrodes in varying conditions. Experimental water sample was taken from water distribution network of local area Pune City, Maharashtra state, India. The indices for calcium and total hardness removal in pH (4.0, 7.0, and 10.0), electrical potential of 12 and 24 V and reaction times of 5 minutes to 30 minutes were measured. The maximum efficiency of hardness removal which was obtained at pH 10.0, voltage of 12 and reaction time of 60 min are equal to 98.5% and 97.5% for calcium and total hardness, respectively. Final pH of remained solution has also increased which rises with acidic pH and decreases in alcoholic pH, so the results demonstrate the direct effect of pH, potential difference and reaction time on hardness removal using EC process.