The Silent Menace: Arsenic Contamination in Water
Arsenic, a naturally occurring element, often infiltrates groundwater and surface water sources due to industrial activities, mining operations, and improper waste disposal. While arsenic occurs in small amounts in rocks and soil, its presence in water poses a severe threat to human health and the environment.
Elsetech Inc. is proud to present its groundbreaking technology that tackles the limitations of traditional arsenic treatment methods. Our innovative solution combines electrochemical processes with adsorption filtration to achieve exceptional arsenic removal rates while minimizing environmental impact and operational costs. Additionally, the low-power design allows for energy-independent operation using solar power generation.
Harnessing the Power of Electrochemistry and Adsorption: A Hybrid Process for Arsenic Remediation
Arsenic contamination poses a significant threat to human health and the environment. Conventional arsenic treatment methods often fall short in terms of effectiveness, cost-efficiency, and environmental impact. Electrochemical arsenic removal technology emerges as a frontrunner in addressing these challenges.
Harnessing the Power of Oxidation
The electrochemical process oxidizes trivalent arsenic (As(III)) to pentavalent arsenic (As(V)). As(V) is more adsorbable and easily removed compared to As(III). This oxidation process, coupled with the adsorption process, achieves exceptionally high arsenic removal rates of up to 99.9%.
In-Situ Adsorbent Generation
A key advantage of electrochemical arsenic removal lies in its ability to generate adsorbents in situ, eliminating the need for external chemical dosing. During the electrochemical process, iron hydroxide (Fe(OH)3) is generated, which acts as a highly effective adsorbent for arsenic. This in-situ generation of adsorbents not only simplifies the treatment process but also reduces operational costs and environmental impact.
Sustainable and Environmentally Friendly
Elsetech's arsenic removal technology stands out for its commitment to sustainability. The process does not generate sludge, minimizing waste disposal concerns. Additionally, the floating microfilters employed in the technology are reusable, further reducing environmental impact.
A Hybrid Process
The treatment process consists of electrochemical coagulation, aeration by falling, and adsorption process.
(Source : Field demonstration of solar-powered electrocoagulation water treatment system for purifying groundwater contaminated by both total coliforms and arsenic, Environmental Technology, 2019, Oh et al.)
A Proven Solution for Diverse Applications:
The hybrid process has been successfully applied to treat various arsenic-contaminated water scenarios, including mine drainage, groundwater, and industrial wastewater.
The efficacy of electrochemical arsenic removal technology has been demonstrated in a wide range of applications, including:
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Treating wastewater from abandoned mines with high arsenic concentrations (over 1500 ppb)
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Remediating arsenic-contaminated groundwater in Hanoi, Vietnam
Simple Process
just two stages – electrochemical coagulation and buoyant adsorption – ensuring streamlined treatment with minimal complexity.
Energy-Efficent
Developed through a process using solar power generation. One site required 100W of power consumption to process 12 TPD.
Chemical Free
Eliminates the need for external chemicals, promoting environmental sustainability.
Minimal Sludge
Electrochemical processes replace oxidizers, coagulants and adsorbents.
Complex contamination
Handles a wide range of contaminants, including heavy metals, organic pollutants, and microorganisms.
Continuous Advancement for Innovative Solutions
Elsetech's Researchers are continuously striving to enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of the hybrid process. Ongoing research focuses on developing novel electrode materials, adsorbents, and electrochemical systems.
In addition to its remarkable arsenic removal capabilities, the hybrid process is also being actively investigated for the treatment of complex wastewater streams containing both arsenic and cyanide. This research holds immense promise for addressing the growing challenge of co-contamination in the plating and electronics industries.