Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering

Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering

Optimization of Electrocoagulation for Reducing the Organic Load of Landfill Leachate: A Case Study of the Tehran Kahrizak Landfill

Document Type : Research Article

Authors
Haniyeh Mehrshad 1
Mohammad Delnavaz 2
1 Faculty of Engineering, Kharazmi University, Tehran, Iran
2 Civil engineering department, Faculty of Engineering, Civil Engineering Department, Kharazmi University
10.22060/ceej.2026.24982.8369
Abstract
The leachate generated at municipal solid-waste landfills contains complex, recalcitrant, and potentially toxic constituents; therefore, it should be treated before discharge to the environment and groundwater. In this study, leachate samples were collected from the Aradkouh Waste Management Complex (Kahrizak, Tehran, Iran) and treated using an electrocoagulation (EC) process. The effects of initial pH (4, 7, and 9), current density (25.31, 37.97, and 50.63 mA/cm²), reaction time (15–60 min), and inter-electrode distance (1, 2, and 4 cm) were evaluated for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total dissolved solids (TDS), and total suspended solids (TSS). Experiments were conducted in a plexiglass batch reactor equipped with three aluminum electrodes and powered by a direct-current supply. Under the optimum conditions (pH 9, 50.63 mA/cm², 60 min, and 2 cm), removal efficiencies of COD, TDS, and TSS reached 37.8%, 34.3%, and 40.2%, respectively. In addition, concentrations of Cr, Pb, Zn, and Fe were determined in raw and treated leachate using atomic absorption spectrometry, with corresponding removal efficiencies of 43.75%, 41.43%, 37.50%, and 27.23%. Overall, the results indicate that electrocoagulation can serve as an effective pretreatment option for reducing the pollutant load of highly concentrated landfill leachate.
Keywords
Landfill Leachate
Electrocoagulation
Current Density
Aluminum Electrodes
Heavy Metals
Subjects
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Amirkabir Journal of Civil Engineering
Volume 57, Issue 10
January 2026
Pages 1789-1806