| Electrocoagulation was evaluated for reducing biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen, themotolerant Escherichia coli, electrical conductivity, and pH change in beef harvest facility wastewater. Twelve 8 L untreated samples were collected from Lone Star Beef Processors in San Angelo, Texas during May and June 2005. Electrical conductivity and pH were measured prior to sub-sampling into four, 2 L samples. Samples were then assigned to one of four treatments: control (NT), treatment A, treatment B, and treatment C. Samples were pumped through the reactor with treatment assigned to different plate configurations. After completing each treatment, pH and electrical conductivity were measured, and analysis for biochemical oxygen demand, nitrogen and thermotolerant Escherichia coli conducted. Results show electrocoagulation treatment of beef harvest facility wastewater does not (P > 0.05) lower biochemical oxygen demand, but reduced (P < 0.05) thermotolerant E. coli, nitrogen, and electrical conductivity, while increasing (P < 0.05) pH. |
