In this study the efficiency of ele

In this study the efficiency of electrocoagulation by direct and alternating current in the removal of lead
and zinc has been evaluated. Wastewater samples were taken from the battery building industry. In the
electrochemical cell, metal iron and stainless steel rod electrodes were used and were connected together
serially and monopolar to the power source. By using alternating current the removal of lead and zinc
was done successfully with iron electrodes and in the current density of 6 mA/cm2 which was respectively
96.7% and 95.2% and with stainless steel electrodes in current density of 8 mA/cm2 was 93.8%
and 93.3%. By using direct current the optimum removal of lead and zinc with iron electrodes was respectively
with 97.2% and 95.5% in current density of 6 mA/cm2 and with stainless steel electrodes was equal
to 93.2% and 92.5% in current density of 8 mA/cm2 was achieved. With alternating current the optimum
energy was achieved by using iron electrodes and was 0.69 km h/m3 and 0.72 kg/m3 and with stainless
steel electrodes were 0.98 km h/m2 and 0.9 kg/m3. In direct current the optimum amount of energy with
iron and stainless steel electrodes wererespectively1.97 kW h/m2 and 1.17 kg/m3 and 2.53 kW h/m3 and
1.42 kg/m3. The maximum amount of sludge was made in alternating current with a 0.084 kg/m3 current
density and in direct current at 0.091 kg/m3. According to the results this process can be used as a suitable
method for a wide use of electrolyte reactors in the industrial scale and for removing lead and zinc
from aqueous environments.