Abstract
This work investigates the performance of batch electrocoagulation reactor for the removal of a mixture of phosphate and nitrate ions from wastewater. Experimental results show that phosphate and nitrate removal efficiency was improved by increasing both current density and initial solution pH while it was decreasing by increasing initial phosphate and/or nitrate concentrations. Experimental results further show that the electrocoagulation process can be described by a first order rate equation for the removal of both phosphate and nitrae. A correlations for the effect of initial phosphate concentration, nitrate concentration and current density were deduced and an overall correllation for the unit performance under different operating parameters in the form: K =0.033 C-N (-0.247) C-P(-0.147) I (0.206) was deduced. This equation can be used for the preliminary design of an electrocoagulation unit used for phosphate and nitrate mixture removal from wastewater.