Performance evaluation of electrocoagulation process using zinc electrodes for removal of urea

This study investigated the ability of the electrocoagulation process to remove urea from synthetic and real wastewater using zinc electrodes. The electrocoagulation cell was operated under various conditions of current density, initial pH, electrode spacing, and electrolytes. The results indicated that the maximum urea removal reached was 66%, which occurred at a current density of 21 mA/cm2, initial pH = 7.0, 4 cm electrode spacing, and using magnesium chloride as the electrolyte. By-products were analyzed using FTIR. The anode’s morphology was examined using a scanning electron microscope. Results were compared with chemical coagulation using zinc sulfate as the coagulant.