IPTEK The Journal of Engineering
Vol 11, No 2 (2025)

Application of Electrocoagulation in Stabilizing pH and Removing Pollutants from Domestic and Urban Wastewater Using Aluminum Electrodes

Kaloka, Ardista Izdhihar (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Faizah, Nurul (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Arifin, Rizal (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Aulia, Anisa Fatma (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Putra, Muhammad Benaldo Anugrah (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Wati, Ni'mah (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)
Prayadi, Icha Nur (Institut Teknologi Sepuluh Nopember)



Article Info

Publish Date
31 Aug 2025

Abstract

This study investigates the application of electrocoagulation using aluminum electrodes to stabilize pH and remove pollutants from various real wastewater sources in Surabaya, Indonesia, including laundromats, fast food restaurants, campus canteens, mechanical workshops, and tofu industries. A batch-mode electrocoagulation process was conducted using 10 A of current over 60 minutes, and the performance was evaluated based on pH changes, turbidity, and Total Suspended Solids (TSS) removal. The highest TSS removal efficiency of 98% was observed in machine shop wastewater, while laundromat samples also achieved high performance with 97% reduction. Electrocoagulation demonstrated strong pH stability in effluents with buffering compounds such as those from campus canteens and workshops, whereas fluctuating pH and turbidity levels were found in tofu and fast-food effluents, indicating the need for process optimization. Turbidity decreased significantly across all samples, confirming effective floc formation during electrolysis. The findings confirm that electrocoagulation is a promising method for treating both domestic and urban wastewater. However, integrating additional processes such as adsorption or filtration is recommended to enhance performance for complex wastewater compositions and ensure compliance with discharge standards.

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Journal Info

Abbrev

joe

Publisher

Subject

Chemical Engineering, Chemistry & Bioengineering Civil Engineering, Building, Construction & Architecture Electrical & Electronics Engineering Engineering Mechanical Engineering

Description

IPTEK The Journal of Engineering (E-ISSN: 2337-8557) is an academic journal on the issued related to engineering and technology. IPTEK The Journal of Engineering published first time in August 2014. From 2014-2018 (Volume 1-4) IPTEK The Journal of Engineering publish three issues (numbers) annually ...