Comparison of Electro-Osmosis Experiments on Marine Sludge with Different Electrode Materials

Abstract

One-dimensional laboratory electro-osmosis experiments of marine sludge in Dalian (China) were conducted on a self-made apparatus to research consolidation effects of copper, aluminum, and ferrum electrodes. Although there was potential loss in the contacts of the anode and marine sludge, the electro-osmosis method was still found to be an effective way to reduce the moisture content and increase the shear strength of marine sludge. In particular, ferrum electrodes performed the best for Dalian coastal marine sludge. The bad performance of copper anode can be justified by the generation of non-conductive paratacamite, atacamite, and nantokite on its surface. Overall, these new discoveries can benefit the choice of electrodes in the marine sludge electro-osmosis dewatering application.

Keywords:

• Effective voltage gradient
• Electrode corrosion
• Electrodes material
• Electro-osmosis
• Marine sludge