This study suggests that the ECEF process is effective in
removing algae from water. Experimental results indicated
that using aluminum as the anode material was more
effective than copper as demonstrated by acceptable final
pH and proper effluent color. Moreover, increasing current
density leads to increasing algae removal efficiency and a
decrease in the electrolysis time required. The optimum
conditions for algae removal found in this study were found
to include a current density of 20 A/m2
, an initial pH of 6-7,
an electrolysis time of 30 minutes resulting in algae removal
efficiency of 96.0-98.1%. Under these conditions, the
energy consumption was 0.91 kWh/m3
.
Thus, it was demonstrated that the ECEF process may be
used as pretreatment method for removing algae from water.
It may not only the most efficient alternative method to
substitute algicide in algae removal, but it also highly
effective allowing the subsequent harvesting of algal
biomass.