Modeling and Automation of the Electrocoagulation Process in Water Treatment

Abstract

Electrocoagulation is successfully used for purifying various industrial wastewaters. In order to improve the quality of wastewater treatment and to reduce economic costs for achieving the specified pollution indicators, an automation system for controlling the wastewater treatment by an electrocoagulation method has been developed. A phenomenological mathematical model of the electrocoagulation process has been adapted for the investigation of the effect of current supply on the quality of wastewater treatment. The estimation of the dynamic characteristics of the electrocoagulation processes and the investigation of the influence of current supply on the concentration of the inlet pollution is made by means of simulation modeling. Based on experimental data a method of determination of regulator adjustment has been developed. A simulation model of the electrocoagulation process taking into account geometrical dimensions of the reactor, volume flow rate of the liquid and the applied current supply has been elaborated. An automation system for controlling concentration of nickel ions with an algorithm of operation for minimum power expenses has been proposed. The automation provides real-time control of the system based on SCADA-system WinCC Flexible. The automation control system with P-regulator can conserve up to 21.4% of power expenses.