Evaluation of Electrochemical Process on Polyphosphate Removal from the Aqueous Solution

Aims: The effect of electrochemical process on polyphosphate alone has not been yet investigated. The aim of this study was to study polyphosphate removal from synthetic wastewater by electrochemical process.?Materials & Methods: This research was carried out experimentally on 50 samples of synthetic wastewater. In each run 2000ml of SW took place in a batch. A constant 600mA direct current was applied on the batch content through steel electrodes. First synthetic wastewater samples with initial concentrations in the range of 2-16mgL-1-P were examined and one sample was taken every 2min during 12min. Then samples in the range of 2 to 32mgL-1-P were tested and one sample was taken every 10min during 1 hour. Residual phosphorous in taken samples was measured according to Standard Methods book. Findings: The removal efficiency was 85-99.85%. Residual phosphorous concentration was reduced below 1mgL-1-P (Iranian standard) in 1.15mA/cm2 DC. The needed reaction time was 10min. for 2-16mgL-1-P initial concentration whereas at higher concentrations it was 30min. Also, the reaction was first order with respect to the residual phosphorous concentration. Conclusion: This process is efficient for removal of the over 99% of poly phosphate from the wastewater and able to reduce the residual phosphorous in effluent to less than Iranian standard limits for reuse (?1mgL-1).