How is electricity used to clean water?

Abstract

Contaminated water affects the health and environment of millions of people. Traditional treatment methods depend on adding chemical substances such as coagulants to separate dirt from water. However, these methods increase operating costs and generate sludge that can be hazardous. This article presents electrocoagulation and electroflotation as an electricity-based alternative. These techniques use electric current between metallic plates to generate the agents needed to remove contaminants. Ions form that gather small particles and gas bubbles that make contaminants float to the surface. Benefits include reduction of chemical use, less sludge generation, and adaptability to different contaminants. These technologies have potential to be combined with renewable energy and applied in communities with less infrastructure.