Application of Electrocoagulation Technology for Industrial Wastewater Treatment in Small and Medium Enterprises in Aba, Abia State

Electrocoagulation is an emerging electrochemical water treatment technology that offers advantages of compactness, absence of chemical addition, and applicability to diverse wastewater types, making it potentially suitable for small and medium enterprises with limited infrastructure. This study investigates the technical feasibility and economic viability of deploying electrocoagulation for treating wastewater from textile dyeing and food processing small and medium enterprises in Aba, Abia State, South East Nigeria. Laboratory-scale electrocoagulation experiments were conducted using aluminium and iron electrodes on real wastewater samples collected from three textile dye houses and two food processing facilities. Operating parameters including electrode material, current density, treatment time, initial pH, and electrode spacing were optimised. Performance was evaluated through removal efficiencies for colour, chemical oxygen demand, suspended solids, and turbidity. Results show that iron electrodes at a current density of 20 milliamperes per square centimetre achieved 94 percent colour removal and 82 percent chemical oxygen demand reduction from textile wastewater within 30 minutes. Food processing wastewater showed 88 percent suspended solids removal. A preliminary cost analysis indicates that electrocoagulation operating costs are competitive with conventional chemical coagulation when electrode replacement cycles are optimised. The study proposes a pilot-scale deployment model for an Aba industrial cluster and recommends engagement of the Abia State Environmental Protection Agency to facilitate technology adoption incentives. Keywords: electrocoagulation, industrial wastewater, textile, Aba, small and medium enterprises