River water treatment by continuous electrocoagulation: insights into removal of acetaminophen, and natural organic matter

Abstract River water was treated by continuous electrocoagulation (EC) for acetaminophen (AP), natural organic matter (NOM measured as UV254), and removal of elements. HRT at 40 min with 0.5 mg/L AP exhibited the best efficiency NOM (55.9%) (53.4%) removal. Except aluminium, other elements in river were removed completely. The EC sludge (floating settled) XRD spectrum showed peaks from reduced, few left aluminium hydroxide formed EC. Several bonds functional groups significantly deformed. FESEM images revealed that highly porous material needed adsorption. EDAX floating had slightly higher carbon compared settled whereas nitrogen sludge. Other element concentrations both sludges similar, proving treatment due to electro-floatation, adsorption, sweep flocs. Single-factor ANOVA significant variance (F4.066 = 92.67, p <0.05) 20.59, Variance between treatments different drug (F3.478 88.53, 529.85, correlated well during electrocoagulation.