ENHANCED PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL USING ELECTROCOAGULATION IN A UASB-TYPE REACTOR

Paula Leticia Freitas Oliveira; Karina Querne de Carvalho Passig

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Complete Paper

Summary

Paper Title

ENHANCED PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL USING ELECTROCOAGULATION IN A UASB-TYPE REACTOR

Authors

Paula Leticia Freitas Oliveira
Karina Querne de Carvalho Passig

Modality

Artigo

Subject area

Electrochemical systems for energy production and recovery of high value-added products from liquid and solid biomass

Publishing Date

11/12/2025

Country of Publishing

Brazil | Brasil

Language of Publishing

en-US

Paper Page

https://www.even3.com.br/anais/workshop-simposio-digestao-anaerobia/1209131-enhanced-phosphorus-removal-using-electrocoagulation-in-a-uasb-type-reactor

ISSN

Keywords

Anaerobic treatment; Nutrient removal; Electrochemical process

Summary

The present study investigated a novel configuration combining an Upflow Anaerobic Sludge Blanket (UASB) reactor with an electrochemical system equipped with four iron electrodes (EC-UASB-type reactor) to enhance phosphorus removal from synthetic wastewater simulating sanitary sewage. The plexiglass reactor (25.1 L useful volume) was inoculated with 4 L of anaerobic sludge from a full-scale UASB reactor. An electrolytic cell located below the three-phase separator applied direct current to iron electrodes, with varying current densities and electrolysis times evaluated using a 2² central composite rotational design. The EC-UASB-type reactor was operated continuously for 195 days, and physicochemical analyses were performed according to standard procedures. The influence of current density and electrolysis time on phosphate removal was statistically assessed using ANOVA. Response surface analysis identified optimal operational conditions at a current density of 5.13 mA cm⁻² and electrolysis time of 55 minutes, achieving phosphate removal efficiencies of approximately 80%. The results demonstrated that both parameters significantly affect system performance, with higher removal rates obtained within specific ranges of electrolysis time and current density. Compared to conventional UASB-type reactors, which typically achieve 30–35% phosphate removal, the EC-UASB configuration significantly improved nutrient elimination without requiring chemical reagents. Integrating electrocoagulation into the UASB reactor represents an effective, practical, and scalable strategy for phosphorus removal. This approach enhances contaminant elimination while maintaining operational simplicity, highlighting its potential application in advanced wastewater treatment systems targeting nutrient control. Future full-scale studies are recommended to address operational challenges such as electrode maintenance, sludge accumulation, and energy consumption.

Title of the Event: XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the energy transition and decarbonization
City of the Event: Fortaleza
Title of the Proceedings of the event: Proceedings of the XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the Energy Transition and Decarbonization
Name of the Publisher: Even3
Means of Dissemination: Meio Digital

How to cite

OLIVEIRA, Paula Leticia Freitas; PASSIG, Karina Querne de Carvalho. ENHANCED PHOSPHORUS REMOVAL USING ELECTROCOAGULATION IN A UASB-TYPE REACTOR.. In: Proceedings of the XV Latin American Workshop and Symposium on Anaerobic Digestion: Contributing to the Energy Transition and Decarbonization. Anais...Fortaleza (CE) Even3, UFC, Embrapa, 2025. Available in: https//www.even3.com.br/anais/workshop-simposio-digestao-anaerobia/1209131-ENHANCED-PHOSPHORUS-REMOVAL-USING-ELECTROCOAGULATION-IN-A-UASB-TYPE-REACTOR. Access in: 02/06/2026