Electrochemical treatment of wastewater from a phosphoric acid manufacturing plant

Phosphoric acid plant wastewater containing fluoride, phosphate and chemical oxygen demand etc., was treated using electrooxidation and electroflocculation methods. A maximum of 82% F- and 22.7% COD were removed using Ti/Pt(5c) under electrooxidative conditions. Electrooxidation with respect to F- removal is found mass-transfer limited, and removals below 5-6 mg/L F- are not achievable. Electroflocculation using Al anode resulted in better removal of F-, COD and PO4(3-). The various results obtained are discussed in this paper.