Enhancing Leachate Water Treatment through Electrocoagulation-Adsorption Process with Zeolite: Exploring Electrode Gap and Time Factors

Leachate results from waste accumulation that leads to water pollution because it damages the water's pH content and triggers water contamination, such as Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Biological Oxygen Demand (BOD), ammonia, and high concentrations of heavy metals. This research uses the electrocoagulation-adsorption method to reduce the contaminant content and make it environmentally safe. Electrocoagulation is carried out by applying an electric voltage of 30 volts with variations in electrode gap of 1, 1.5, and 2 cm and electrocoagulation time of 15, 30, and 60 minutes with the addition of 80 grams of zeolite and 3 grams of NaCl electrolyte with 150 rpm stirring. The results showed the best COD reduction at an electrode gap of 1.5 cm with a process time of 60 minutes and a COD reduction efficiency of 80.19%, from 525 mg/L to 104 mg/L. The best TSS reduction at an electrode gap of 1.5 cm at a process time of 15 minutes with a TSS reduction efficiency of 17.72% from 15.5 mg/L to 12.8 mg/L. The best decrease in Total Nitrogen concentration at an electrode gap of 1.5 cm with a process time of 60 minutes obtained a Total Nitrogen reduction efficiency of 79.05% from 1494 mg/L to 313 mg/L but has not reached the quality standards. Analysis of Hg and Cd concentration of <0.0002 mg/L and <0.038 mg/L, respectively, has a value smaller than the water quality standard set by Permen LHK P.59/2016 of 0.005 mg/L and 0.1 mg/L, respectively.