Water and Wastewater Terms Beginning E

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W Y Z

electrocoagulation

A treatment process that uses sacrificial anodes of iron, aluminum, or other ion-producing materials in place of flocculants such as aluminum sulfate (alum), ferric chloride, or polymers to provide the chemistry. Instead of energy from chemical bonds or ions, electric current is used. In the process, an electric current is incorporated to neutralize ionic, valence, and particulate charges thereby allowing contaminants, such as colloidal particulates, oils, and dissolved metals, to be precipitated and removed from stable suspensions and emulsions.