Influence of a constant electric field on the adsorption purification of water from iron ions

Using electrochemical action (ECA) to treat water was first proposed in UK in 1889. At present, many methods of ECA are known (electro flotation, electro coagulation, electro osmosis, electrophoresis, etc.). In the production of rocket and space technology, galvanic technologies are used, as a result of which waste water is contaminated with metal ions. Known methods of wastewater treatment do not allow to ensure the maximum permissible concentration of metal ions in treated water, or are expensive or difficult to operate in industry. Iron ions are among the most polluting components of wastewater of most industries. So increased control and the development of effective methods of wastewater treatment are necessary. Iron affects the intensity of phytoplankton development and the qualitative composition of microflora in reservoirs. The toxicity of iron compounds in water depends on the hydrogen index of water. The alkaline environment dramatically increases the risk of fish poisoning, as in such conditions, iron hydroxides are formed, which are deposited on the gills, clog and corrode them. In addition, iron compounds bind oxygen dissolved in water, which leads to the mass death of fish and other hydrobionts. The article presents the method of conducting experiments, the methods of sorption, electrochemical and combined water treatment, including electrochemical action and adsorption. The results of studies of these methods of water purification from iron ions are presented. The dependence of the degree of purification on the electric field strength, interelectrode distance and water treatment time is revealed. With an electric field strength of 5.16 V/mm, a temperature of 20–22 °C using quartz sand as an adsorbent and a processing time of 1 minute, the concentration of iron ions decreased from 2.5 to 0.25 mg/l (at MPC = 0.3 mg/l). The proposed combined cleaning method requires inexpensive and affordable materials and is easy to operate.