Simulating electrocoagulation for water treatment: effect of applied current on energy consumption

Tahreen, Amina and Jami, Mohammed Saedi and Iwata, Masashi and Ali, Fathilah (2025) Simulating electrocoagulation for water treatment: effect of applied current on energy consumption. In: 2025 International Power and Sustainable Energy Technologies Conference (PSETC), 22-24 August 2025, Singapore.

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Abstract

Electrocoagulation (EC) is emerging as a low footprint, chemical-minimal water treatment technology. Yet, its design and optimization are constrained by trial-and-error methods that lack insight into internal electrochemical dynamics. This study presents a validated 3D COMSOL Multiphysics model of a batch EC reactor, simulating electric potential and current density distribution under varying current inputs. The model integrates experimentally relevant conditions and parametric sweeps to identify optimal energy-efficient operating windows. Electric potential varied from -2.72V to -1.77V across a 0–2A current sweep. Current density visualizations revealed significant edge concentration at lower currents, which improved with increased current input, achieving uniformity at 1.5–1.75 A. Energy consumption was calculated directly from the simulation outputs using electric potential, total current, and process time, enabling realistic energy consumption analysis. The study links current field distribution with energy optimization, offering an insight to scalable, resource-efficient EC design framework aligned with SDGs 6 (Clean Water), 9 (Industry Innovation), and 12 (Responsible Production). This COMSOL Multiphysics-based approach aims to reduce experimental runs, minimize waste, and support predictive engineering for sustainable water treatment systems.

Item Type:	Proceeding Paper (Other)
Uncontrolled Keywords:	electrocoagulation, simulation, energy analysis
Subjects:	T Technology > TP Chemical technology > TP155 Chemical engineering
Kulliyyahs/Centres/Divisions/Institutes (Can select more than one option. Press CONTROL button):	Kulliyyah of Engineering > Department of Biotechnology Engineering Kulliyyah of Engineering
Depositing User:	Prof. Ir. Dr. Mohammed Saedi Jami, PhD CEng MIChemE
Date Deposited:	11 May 2026 11:29
Last Modified:	11 May 2026 11:29
Queue Number:	2026-05-Q3168
URI:	http://irep.iium.edu.my/id/eprint/128781

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