Combined electrochemical treatment coupled to anaerobic digestion effluents

Abstract

Electrochemical treatment is an effective method to improve physicochemical characteristics of effluents and to minimize the environmental footprint of anaerobic digestion facilities. In the present research an anaerobic digester effluent was subjected to post-treatment, using electro-oxidation or electrocoagulation processes for significant reduction of Chemical oxygen demand and ammonia. A combined electro-oxidation and electrocoagulation treatment was also performed. Results show satisfactory decrease of both Chemical oxygen demand and ammonium nitrogen, which however were relative to the method applied, the time duration and the current intensity. A combined use of both methods may be the best solution for the post-treatment of this high burden effluent. All the presented values have occurred from experiments in the Chemistry Department of the International Hellenic University.