Date of Award
12-2009
Degree Type
Thesis
Degree Name
M.S.
Degree Program
Environmental Engineering
Department
Civil and Environmental Engineering
Major Professor
La Motta, Enrique J.
Second Advisor
McCorquodale, J. Alex
Third Advisor
Kura, Bhaskar
Abstract
The purpose of this research was to observe the removal efficiency for copper (Cu), nickel (Ni), and zinc (Zn) using Electrocoagulation (EC) technique in a continuous flow reactor with a synthetic bilge water emulsion; and additionally, to discuss the operation cost of the treatment. The optimal configuration for EC treatment used combined electrodes, aluminum and carbon steel; flow rate of 1 L/min; effluent recycling and 7.5 amps; this optimal configuration achieved 99% of zinc removal efficiency, 70% of both, copper and nickel removal efficiency, and low operation costs. The current intensity did not have significance incidence on the removal efficiency. The analysis of cost per gram of removed contaminant indicated that nickel had an average cost of $1.95 per gram removed, zinc and copper had $0.60 and $0.88 per gram removed, respectively. To develop additional experiments with the EC reactor are required in order to optimize metal removal efficiency.
Recommended Citation
Andrade, Milton, "Heavy metal removal from bilge water by electrocoagulation treatment" (2009). University of New Orleans Theses and Dissertations. 1092.
https://scholarworks.uno.edu/td/1092
Rights
The University of New Orleans and its agents retain the non-exclusive license to archive and make accessible this dissertation or thesis in whole or in part in all forms of media, now or hereafter known. The author retains all other ownership rights to the copyright of the thesis or dissertation.