Water treatment applying electrocoagulation and filtration processes with a functionalized membrane of a contaminated water body from San Cayetano de Morelos, Toluca

Abstract

Water for human consumption is found on the continents as fresh water in rivers, lakes, reservoirs, and underground aquifers; this water is in decrease due to anthropogenic activity and eutrophication of water bodies. This research evaluates the treatment of contaminated water in a water body in the town of San Cayetano de Morelos, Toluca, combining electrocoagulation and the use of modified membranes. Aluminum electrodes for electrocoagulation were used as the first treatment, followed by a membrane filtration process as the second treatment. The water shows the presence of phosphates and nitrates, with initial values of BOD₅, TOC, and COD of 31.7 mg/L, 78.8 mg/L, and 152.3 mg/L, respectively. After 25 minutes of electrocoagulation treatment, a 39.1% reduction in BOD₅, 73.7% in TOC, and 86% in COD was achieved. A quantification of aluminum in the water resulting from electrocoagulation was carried out, and a concentration of 0.561 mg/L was found; after filtration, it was reduced to 0.245 mg/L.

Keywords: Electrocoagulation, Total Organic Carbon (TOC), functionalized membranes.

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