Electroflocculation can be defined as a process that is the association of electroflotation and electrocoagulation in the treatment of industrial effluents. It is an alternative technology employing electrolysis reactions that enables the removal of oily liquids and emulsions from mechanical industries, which are comprised mainly of mixtures of temporary protective oils, lubricating oils and mineral oils. The functioning principle of the electrolytic process consists of applying an electrical potential to an aqueous solution using carbon steel electrodes, promoting the dissolution (corrosion) of this metal with the generation of ions and gases (oxygen and hydrogen), which form flocculation-coagulation reactions suitable for oily residues at the proper pH. This article reports the laboratory experiments and results of treatment in a small unit showing the reduction of the value of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and the excellent oily mass removal in industrial effluents.

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