Electrocoagulation as a Sustainable Alternative for the Treatment of Refinery Effluents: Application in Esmeraldas Refinery

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Morayma Muñoz
Napoleón Padilla
https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6694-5523
Grace Morrillo
https://orcid.org/0009-0009-0703-2666
Marco Rosero
https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4060-4397

Abstract

The contamination of effluents generated by the oil refining industry is a critical environmental problem, due to the presence of hydrocarbons, phenols and refractory organic matter that prevent their discharge without treatment. This study evaluates the efficiency of electrochemical treatment by electrocoagulation of the process effluent from the Esmeraldas State Refinery (REE), using aluminum and zinc electrodes. The reduction of total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH), phenols and chemical oxygen demand (COD) was analyzed in a laboratory-scale electrochemical cell system under controlled conditions of pH, current density and temperature. Average removal efficiencies of 73.69 % for TPH, 57.54 % for phenols and 50.61 % for COD were achieved, with a specific energy consumption of 2.1 kWh/m³ for a volume of 4 liters per 60 minutes of treatment. The results indicate that electrocoagulation is a viable technical alternative for the treatment of oil wastewater and can contribute to compliance with current Ecuadorian environmental regulations. In addition, the study highlights the influence of the initial composition of the effluent on the efficiency of the process and raises the need for further research to optimize operating performance under acceptable conditions.

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How to Cite
Muñoz, M., Padilla, N., Morrillo, G., & Rosero, M. (2025). Electrocoagulation as a Sustainable Alternative for the Treatment of Refinery Effluents: Application in Esmeraldas Refinery. Revista Técnica "energía", 22(1), PP. 53–61. https://doi.org/10.37116/revistaenergia.v22.n1.2025.706
Section
PRODUCCIÓN Y USO DE LA ENERGÍA

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