Electrocoagulation treatment for street food wastewater in Thailand

• The environmental problem from street food has been over looked and never been solved. This work prove that the electrocoagulation technology can be used to solve the existing problem and developed as a mobile treatment unit. • The actual wastewater from various street foods were used in this work. • The electrocoagulation system is simple design, ease of use, and suitable for street food culture. • The prototype was continuously running with a 12 V / 45 A battery. The limit of battery for long-term operation was presented in this work. • Very fast of operation time (∼10 min) Street food plays a vital role in Thailand’s economy; however, improper waste and wastewater management presents significant environmental challenges. This study evaluates the potential of electrocoagulation (EC) for treating street food wastewater. Small-scale (10 L) and large-scale (20 L) EC systems were developed using aluminum electrodes powered by a battery. The small-scale system achieved a 91% chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal in the first treatment cycle (20 min), but COD removal declined to 84% and 70% in the second and third cycles, respectively, due to battery depletion. The large-scale system, which consumed more current, demonstrated lower removal efficiency than the small-scale system. To ensure consistent performance in a mobile street food application, supplementary batteries or rapid charging systems are recommended. Moreover, integration with post-treatment units, such as filtration or adsorption, is necessary to meet Thailand's effluent standards. Successful implementation will also depend on increased local awareness of wastewater impacts, government support mechanisms, and frameworks for water reuse and sludge waste utilization. These measures are essential for sustainable resource use and environmental protection.