Belkacem Merzouk | Mouloud Mammeri University Algeria (original) (raw)
Papers by Belkacem Merzouk
The electrocoagulation (EC) treatment process was aided by the cladode mucilage of Opuntia ficus-... more The electrocoagulation (EC) treatment process was aided by the cladode mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) to improve chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (%) of wastewater from a plant producing flavoring and food additives. The studied variables included initial pH, current density, types of electrodes (Fe and Al), mucilage concentration, and charge loading. The EC treatment using Al electrodes, assisted by an optimum concentration of 200 mg L-1 OFI mucilage, a current density of 60 A/m 2 , and an initial pH equal to 3, improved the COD removal efficiency (69.77%) at an EC treatment time of 40 min. The EC operating costs, energy, and electrode consumptions values were equal to 3.809 US /m3,0.810kWh/kgCODremoved,and0.7898kg/m3,respectively.However,noimprovementwasnotedwhenFeelectrodeswereusedwithorwithoutaddingOFImucilage(underconditionsofpH6,currentdensityof50A/m2,andECtimeof120min),andCODremovalefficiency(/m 3 , 0.810 kWh/kg COD removed, and 0.7898 kg/m 3 , respectively. However, no improvement was noted when Fe electrodes were used with or without adding OFI mucilage (under conditions of pH 6, current density of 50 A/m 2 , and EC time of 120 min), and COD removal efficiency (%) was equal to 41.5%. The operational costs, energy and electrode consumptions were equal to 4.2201 US /m3,0.810kWh/kgCODremoved,and0.7898kg/m3,respectively.However,noimprovementwasnotedwhenFeelectrodeswereusedwithorwithoutaddingOFImucilage(underconditionsofpH6,currentdensityof50A/m2,andECtimeof120min),andCODremovalefficiency(/m 3 , 2.8 kWh/kg COD removal and 3.0964 kg/m 3 , respectively. The OFI mucilage could be used as a promising bio-coagulant with EC treatment using Al electrodes, to treat the plant producing flavoring and food additives wastewater.
Separation Science and Technology
Desalination, 2008
The present work experimentally studied the clarification of wastewater using the electroflotatio... more The present work experimentally studied the clarification of wastewater using the electroflotation technique (EF) with aluminum electrodes. In the first part, we have studied the principal parameters (feed tension U, distance between electrodes D, period of treatment t, pH and conductivity κ) affecting the process using a simulated model of wastewater. The application of the optimized parameters (U = 20 V, D = 1 cm, t = 20 min) on an industrial wastewater derived from an Algerian velvet manufacture showed a high removal of biological oxygen demand after 5 days (BOD 5 = 93.5%), chemical oxygen demand (COD = 90.3%), turbidity (78.7%), suspended solids (SS = 93.3%) and color (>93%). In the second part, we have studied the separation of some heavy metal ions such as iron, nickel, copper, zinc, lead and cadmium. This allowed us to show that the kinetics of electroflotation is very quick <15 min), and the removal rate reaches 99%.
Algerian Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2021
Separation and Purification Technology, 2015
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is the optimization of the effect of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) pa... more ABSTRACT The aim of this study is the optimization of the effect of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) pad juice on the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) water treatment process by response surface methodology (RSM). To estimate the efficiency of EC-EF technique assisted by Opuntia ficus indica pad juice, preliminary tests were conducted. The results obtained after RSM optimization for initial OFI pad juice volume, initial pH and initial conductivity were 0.016 mL/L, 8.2, and 3.04 mS/cm, respectively. Maximum predicted turbidity removal efficiency (TR %) under the optimized conditions was 87 % ± 0.8, this predicted value was close to the experimental value of 86.9 % ± 0.1. Compared to the conventional EC-EF (EC without OFI juice addition), which shows 71.9 % of turbidity removal, the optimized cactus juice assisted EC-EF allows a turbidity removal enhancement of 15.1 %. These results indicate suitability and validation of the employed model and the success of RSM in optimizing the EC-EF treatment conditions.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2009
Membrane Water Treatment, 2018
European journal of scientific research, 2011
L'evolution de la DCO, de la turbidite et de l'absorbance sont analysees en fonction de l... more L'evolution de la DCO, de la turbidite et de l'absorbance sont analysees en fonction de la densite de courant, de la duree du traitement, de la concentration en metaux dissous et de la charge produite. L'efficacite est proportionnelle a tous ces parametres jusqu'a un certain niveau, niveau au-dela duquel l'augmentation de la valeur de ces parametres n'apporte plus d'amelioration au traitement. Il est montre que la charge ou la concentration en metal dissous sont plus adaptes pour representer l'evolution du traitement que le temps. Le procede d'electrocoagulation a permis un abattement de DCO de 72 a 82% pour l'effluent " station " et de 45 a 75% pour l'effluent " usine ". La turbidite est eliminee par le traitement quel que soit le materiau d'electrode et l'effluent utilise. Le traitement de la couleur a permis d'avoir jusqu'a 93 a 99% d'abattement pour tous les effluents independamment de la densite...
The assessment of industrial liquid waste of Ouagad ougou shows 91262 m 3 yr -1 total quantity of... more The assessment of industrial liquid waste of Ouagad ougou shows 91262 m 3 yr -1 total quantity of effluent composed mainly of tannery effluent. Treatment experiment by EC of these effluents allowed to eliminate chromiu m and to lower COD up to 86% abatement. The process designed for the treatment of liquid waste from tannery wor ks at 10.5 m 3 hr -1 for current density of 67.5 A.m -2 , 62.5 V, 1.2 kWh m -3 energy consumption, and produces 86,000 m 3 of clear water with 200 mg L -1 COD, 0 turbidity, 91% color abatement, 0 ppm chrom ium. The treatment produces nearly 480 m 3 yr -1 of sludge after compression using filter-press and 216 T of dry matter containing chromium and iron
Soil erosion is a natural process which is undoubtedly widely responsible for the current geomorp... more Soil erosion is a natural process which is undoubtedly widely responsible for the current geomorphology. The “soil erosion” term cannot be used in a threatened environment or a damage that it is about accelerated erosion, beyond moderate rates, based on anthropogenic factors, which will cause loss of one or several functions of the soil.
Synthese, 2009
L’utilisation de l’electricite comme mode direct de traitement des effluents est un domaine en pl... more L’utilisation de l’electricite comme mode direct de traitement des effluents est un domaine en pleine expansion. En effet, la diminution du prix de l’electricite couplee aux facilites d’automatisation de tels procedes rendent ces techniques plus attractives, particulierement lors de la mise en place de petites unites de traitement. Dans ce travail, un modele reduit d'electroflottation concu et realise au laboratoire, traite des solutions artificielles (eau et gel de silice O 50 < 25 mm) a differentes tensions (10, 15, 20 et 25 V volts) tout en modulant la distance entre les electrodes (1, 2 et 3 cm), pour optimiser les parametres de traitement (temps de traitement, ecart entre les electrodes, tension d'alimentation). L'application des parametres optimises sur les eaux de rejets du complexe industriel ALCOVEL d'Akbou a montre, une reduction de la demande biologique en oxygene (DBO 5 ), la demande chimique en oxygene DCO, la turbidite, les MES et de la couleur de 93...
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Water and Environment Journal
The optimisation of the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted by the mucil... more The optimisation of the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted by the mucilage of the Opuntia ficus indica (OFI), on the turbidity removal was performed through the response surface methodology (RSM). For a solution of 300 mg/L of silica gel, high turbidity removal (93.14% 6 1.31) was obtained under the optimal conditions of 2.5 mg/L, 21.2 V, 9.65 and 2.61 mS/cm for the mucilage concentration, voltage, pH and conductivity, respectively, this experimental value was close to the predicted value of 92.96% 6 0.3. OFI mucilage increases turbidity removal efficiency and reduces specific energy consumption at a fixed current density. The turbidity removal of the EC-EF process was improved by 30.94% compared with the conventional EC-EF (EC-EF without OFI mucilage) which shows 62.02% 6 1.45 of turbidity removal.
Journal of Mountain Science
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
Electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted with the mucilage of Opuntia ficus i... more Electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted with the mucilage of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) plant was investigated in order to enhance copper removal efficiency. EC-EF tests with aluminum electrodes were conducted for the treatment of a synthetic copper solution of 100 mg/L, to estimate the influence of the mucilage on removal of copper metal ions, aluminum and hydrogen Faradaic yields, settling process and specific electrical energy consumption. It was mainly found that: (i) copper removal efficiency reached 100% in < 5 min with 30 mg/L OFI mucilage at pH 7.8; (ii) OFI mucilage affected aluminum and hydrogen Faradaic yields at high removal efficiencies; (iii) copper sludge settling rate rises with increasing mucilage concentrations, and was enhanced by 15%; (iv) OFI mucilage reduced specific energy consumption at a fixed current density along with removal efficiency increase. Furthermore, the formed flocs, in the presence or not of mucilage, were identified by scanning electron microscope analysis (SEM). This work promotes the use of OFI mucilage as an active natural coagulant aid for the removal of copper species from water, by suggesting the substitution of chemical coagu-lants that are often added to the EC-EF technique.
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
The main objective of this study was to investigate the operation of a continuous electrochemical... more The main objective of this study was to investigate the operation of a continuous electrochemical reactor comprising an electrocoagulation part provided with aluminium electrodes and a settling zone, for the removal of a red nylosan dye (Acid Red 336). More precisely the effect of the operating parameters has been followed, e.g. initial pH, initial concentration (C 0), residence time (τ), current density (j), inlet flow rate (Q), direct/ alternating current (DC/AC) and electrode connection mode. Abatement yields between 87% and 96% for color and turbidity were observed with direct current, for dye concentration ranging from 100 mg L-1 to 1000 mg L-1 , at 300 A/m², for inlet flow rate Q = 15 L h-1 and 26 L/h. The specific electrical energy consumption was found at 9.5 kWh kg-1 removed dye for direct current and monopolar connection. At the same current density, bipolar connection with four electrodes immersed is more effective than monopolar connection in terms of color and turbidity abatement, but with far larger energy consumption. The performance difference between the two modes at comparable energy consumption is discussed.
Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy
Desalination, 2011
... and the absorbance at the maximum wavelength. Very satisfactory results are usually reported,... more ... and the absorbance at the maximum wavelength. Very satisfactory results are usually reported, with color removal efficiency ranging between 98% and 100% in most cases.Ayhan et al. [16] have studied the decolorization of a ...
Desalination and Water Treatment, 2015
The electrocoagulation (EC) treatment process was aided by the cladode mucilage of Opuntia ficus-... more The electrocoagulation (EC) treatment process was aided by the cladode mucilage of Opuntia ficus-indica (OFI) to improve chemical oxygen demand (COD) removal efficiency (%) of wastewater from a plant producing flavoring and food additives. The studied variables included initial pH, current density, types of electrodes (Fe and Al), mucilage concentration, and charge loading. The EC treatment using Al electrodes, assisted by an optimum concentration of 200 mg L-1 OFI mucilage, a current density of 60 A/m 2 , and an initial pH equal to 3, improved the COD removal efficiency (69.77%) at an EC treatment time of 40 min. The EC operating costs, energy, and electrode consumptions values were equal to 3.809 US /m3,0.810kWh/kgCODremoved,and0.7898kg/m3,respectively.However,noimprovementwasnotedwhenFeelectrodeswereusedwithorwithoutaddingOFImucilage(underconditionsofpH6,currentdensityof50A/m2,andECtimeof120min),andCODremovalefficiency(/m 3 , 0.810 kWh/kg COD removed, and 0.7898 kg/m 3 , respectively. However, no improvement was noted when Fe electrodes were used with or without adding OFI mucilage (under conditions of pH 6, current density of 50 A/m 2 , and EC time of 120 min), and COD removal efficiency (%) was equal to 41.5%. The operational costs, energy and electrode consumptions were equal to 4.2201 US /m3,0.810kWh/kgCODremoved,and0.7898kg/m3,respectively.However,noimprovementwasnotedwhenFeelectrodeswereusedwithorwithoutaddingOFImucilage(underconditionsofpH6,currentdensityof50A/m2,andECtimeof120min),andCODremovalefficiency(/m 3 , 2.8 kWh/kg COD removal and 3.0964 kg/m 3 , respectively. The OFI mucilage could be used as a promising bio-coagulant with EC treatment using Al electrodes, to treat the plant producing flavoring and food additives wastewater.
Separation Science and Technology
Desalination, 2008
The present work experimentally studied the clarification of wastewater using the electroflotatio... more The present work experimentally studied the clarification of wastewater using the electroflotation technique (EF) with aluminum electrodes. In the first part, we have studied the principal parameters (feed tension U, distance between electrodes D, period of treatment t, pH and conductivity κ) affecting the process using a simulated model of wastewater. The application of the optimized parameters (U = 20 V, D = 1 cm, t = 20 min) on an industrial wastewater derived from an Algerian velvet manufacture showed a high removal of biological oxygen demand after 5 days (BOD 5 = 93.5%), chemical oxygen demand (COD = 90.3%), turbidity (78.7%), suspended solids (SS = 93.3%) and color (>93%). In the second part, we have studied the separation of some heavy metal ions such as iron, nickel, copper, zinc, lead and cadmium. This allowed us to show that the kinetics of electroflotation is very quick <15 min), and the removal rate reaches 99%.
Algerian Journal of Environmental Science and Technology, 2021
Separation and Purification Technology, 2015
ABSTRACT The aim of this study is the optimization of the effect of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) pa... more ABSTRACT The aim of this study is the optimization of the effect of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) pad juice on the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) water treatment process by response surface methodology (RSM). To estimate the efficiency of EC-EF technique assisted by Opuntia ficus indica pad juice, preliminary tests were conducted. The results obtained after RSM optimization for initial OFI pad juice volume, initial pH and initial conductivity were 0.016 mL/L, 8.2, and 3.04 mS/cm, respectively. Maximum predicted turbidity removal efficiency (TR %) under the optimized conditions was 87 % ± 0.8, this predicted value was close to the experimental value of 86.9 % ± 0.1. Compared to the conventional EC-EF (EC without OFI juice addition), which shows 71.9 % of turbidity removal, the optimized cactus juice assisted EC-EF allows a turbidity removal enhancement of 15.1 %. These results indicate suitability and validation of the employed model and the success of RSM in optimizing the EC-EF treatment conditions.
Journal of Hazardous Materials, 2009
Chemical Engineering Journal, 2009
Membrane Water Treatment, 2018
European journal of scientific research, 2011
L'evolution de la DCO, de la turbidite et de l'absorbance sont analysees en fonction de l... more L'evolution de la DCO, de la turbidite et de l'absorbance sont analysees en fonction de la densite de courant, de la duree du traitement, de la concentration en metaux dissous et de la charge produite. L'efficacite est proportionnelle a tous ces parametres jusqu'a un certain niveau, niveau au-dela duquel l'augmentation de la valeur de ces parametres n'apporte plus d'amelioration au traitement. Il est montre que la charge ou la concentration en metal dissous sont plus adaptes pour representer l'evolution du traitement que le temps. Le procede d'electrocoagulation a permis un abattement de DCO de 72 a 82% pour l'effluent " station " et de 45 a 75% pour l'effluent " usine ". La turbidite est eliminee par le traitement quel que soit le materiau d'electrode et l'effluent utilise. Le traitement de la couleur a permis d'avoir jusqu'a 93 a 99% d'abattement pour tous les effluents independamment de la densite...
The assessment of industrial liquid waste of Ouagad ougou shows 91262 m 3 yr -1 total quantity of... more The assessment of industrial liquid waste of Ouagad ougou shows 91262 m 3 yr -1 total quantity of effluent composed mainly of tannery effluent. Treatment experiment by EC of these effluents allowed to eliminate chromiu m and to lower COD up to 86% abatement. The process designed for the treatment of liquid waste from tannery wor ks at 10.5 m 3 hr -1 for current density of 67.5 A.m -2 , 62.5 V, 1.2 kWh m -3 energy consumption, and produces 86,000 m 3 of clear water with 200 mg L -1 COD, 0 turbidity, 91% color abatement, 0 ppm chrom ium. The treatment produces nearly 480 m 3 yr -1 of sludge after compression using filter-press and 216 T of dry matter containing chromium and iron
Soil erosion is a natural process which is undoubtedly widely responsible for the current geomorp... more Soil erosion is a natural process which is undoubtedly widely responsible for the current geomorphology. The “soil erosion” term cannot be used in a threatened environment or a damage that it is about accelerated erosion, beyond moderate rates, based on anthropogenic factors, which will cause loss of one or several functions of the soil.
Synthese, 2009
L’utilisation de l’electricite comme mode direct de traitement des effluents est un domaine en pl... more L’utilisation de l’electricite comme mode direct de traitement des effluents est un domaine en pleine expansion. En effet, la diminution du prix de l’electricite couplee aux facilites d’automatisation de tels procedes rendent ces techniques plus attractives, particulierement lors de la mise en place de petites unites de traitement. Dans ce travail, un modele reduit d'electroflottation concu et realise au laboratoire, traite des solutions artificielles (eau et gel de silice O 50 < 25 mm) a differentes tensions (10, 15, 20 et 25 V volts) tout en modulant la distance entre les electrodes (1, 2 et 3 cm), pour optimiser les parametres de traitement (temps de traitement, ecart entre les electrodes, tension d'alimentation). L'application des parametres optimises sur les eaux de rejets du complexe industriel ALCOVEL d'Akbou a montre, une reduction de la demande biologique en oxygene (DBO 5 ), la demande chimique en oxygene DCO, la turbidite, les MES et de la couleur de 93...
International Journal of Environmental Analytical Chemistry
Water and Environment Journal
The optimisation of the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted by the mucil... more The optimisation of the electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted by the mucilage of the Opuntia ficus indica (OFI), on the turbidity removal was performed through the response surface methodology (RSM). For a solution of 300 mg/L of silica gel, high turbidity removal (93.14% 6 1.31) was obtained under the optimal conditions of 2.5 mg/L, 21.2 V, 9.65 and 2.61 mS/cm for the mucilage concentration, voltage, pH and conductivity, respectively, this experimental value was close to the predicted value of 92.96% 6 0.3. OFI mucilage increases turbidity removal efficiency and reduces specific energy consumption at a fixed current density. The turbidity removal of the EC-EF process was improved by 30.94% compared with the conventional EC-EF (EC-EF without OFI mucilage) which shows 62.02% 6 1.45 of turbidity removal.
Journal of Mountain Science
Journal of Electroanalytical Chemistry
Electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted with the mucilage of Opuntia ficus i... more Electrocoagulation-electroflotation (EC-EF) process assisted with the mucilage of Opuntia ficus indica (OFI) plant was investigated in order to enhance copper removal efficiency. EC-EF tests with aluminum electrodes were conducted for the treatment of a synthetic copper solution of 100 mg/L, to estimate the influence of the mucilage on removal of copper metal ions, aluminum and hydrogen Faradaic yields, settling process and specific electrical energy consumption. It was mainly found that: (i) copper removal efficiency reached 100% in < 5 min with 30 mg/L OFI mucilage at pH 7.8; (ii) OFI mucilage affected aluminum and hydrogen Faradaic yields at high removal efficiencies; (iii) copper sludge settling rate rises with increasing mucilage concentrations, and was enhanced by 15%; (iv) OFI mucilage reduced specific energy consumption at a fixed current density along with removal efficiency increase. Furthermore, the formed flocs, in the presence or not of mucilage, were identified by scanning electron microscope analysis (SEM). This work promotes the use of OFI mucilage as an active natural coagulant aid for the removal of copper species from water, by suggesting the substitution of chemical coagu-lants that are often added to the EC-EF technique.
DESALINATION AND WATER TREATMENT
The main objective of this study was to investigate the operation of a continuous electrochemical... more The main objective of this study was to investigate the operation of a continuous electrochemical reactor comprising an electrocoagulation part provided with aluminium electrodes and a settling zone, for the removal of a red nylosan dye (Acid Red 336). More precisely the effect of the operating parameters has been followed, e.g. initial pH, initial concentration (C 0), residence time (τ), current density (j), inlet flow rate (Q), direct/ alternating current (DC/AC) and electrode connection mode. Abatement yields between 87% and 96% for color and turbidity were observed with direct current, for dye concentration ranging from 100 mg L-1 to 1000 mg L-1 , at 300 A/m², for inlet flow rate Q = 15 L h-1 and 26 L/h. The specific electrical energy consumption was found at 9.5 kWh kg-1 removed dye for direct current and monopolar connection. At the same current density, bipolar connection with four electrodes immersed is more effective than monopolar connection in terms of color and turbidity abatement, but with far larger energy consumption. The performance difference between the two modes at comparable energy consumption is discussed.
Sustainable Chemistry and Pharmacy
Desalination, 2011
... and the absorbance at the maximum wavelength. Very satisfactory results are usually reported,... more ... and the absorbance at the maximum wavelength. Very satisfactory results are usually reported, with color removal efficiency ranging between 98% and 100% in most cases.Ayhan et al. [16] have studied the decolorization of a ...
Desalination and Water Treatment, 2015