LAUSR

Abstract This paper concerns with the elimination of arsenic and hydrated silica from deep well water, collected form the septentrional area of Guanajuato in Mexico (arsenic 23 μg L−1, hydrated silica 154 mg L−1, sulphate 160 mg L−1, phosphate 0.3 mg L−1, pH 7.5 and conductivity 550 μS  cm−1) by electrocoagulation (EC) using an up-flow electrochemical reactor, opened to the atmosphere, with a six-cell stack in a serpentine array. Aluminum plates were used as electrodes. The efficiencies of arsenic and hydrated silica removal at different current densities (4 ≤ j ≤ 7 mA cm-2) and mean linear flow rates (1.2 ≤ u ≤ 4.8 cm s−1) were examined. The best EC was obtained at 7 mA cm-2 and 1.2 cm s−1, which satisfies the WHO guideline for arsenic (