Optimizing electrocoagulation parameters for enhanced leachate remediation

This study examines the treatment of leachate by electrocoagulation, focusing on the optimization of key parameters such as current intensity, reaction time, initial pH, plate dimensions, and plate type. The electrocoagulation process was carried out using aluminum electrodes, and the impact of variation of these parameters on the removal of organic matter (OM), color, and other relevant indicators of the quality of water has been studied. The results highlight the importance of fine-tuning parameters to maximize treatment effectiveness. The optimal found values for leachate treatment involve a current intensity of 2 A, plate dimensions of 10 cm², pH of 6, reaction time of 50 min and settling time of 30 min, using plastic plates of Aluminum. The study also compares the performance of different types of plates (aluminum, iron, stainless steel) and highlights the superiority of aluminum in terms of electrical conductivity (EC) and processing efficiency. The research uses statistical methods, including a Box–Behnken experimental design, to optimize the electrocoagulation process and validate the accuracy of the model through correlation graphs and analysis of variance (ANOVA). The study provides valuable insights into the factors influencing the effectiveness of leachate treatment and proposes an effective framework to optimize the electrocoagulation process.