Scaling-ion removal from high-salinity produced water via sono-electrocoagulation: interplay of floc microstructure and electrochemical surface activity

Original scientific paper

Authors

  • Reno Pratiwi Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jalan Letjen S. Parman 1, Jakarta 11440, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4572-1066
  • Kartika Fajarwati Hartono Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jalan Letjen S. Parman 1, Jakarta 11440, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6693-2041
  • Maman Djumantara Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jalan Letjen S. Parman 1, Jakarta 11440, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3273-2882
  • Dina Asmaul Chusniyah Petroleum Engineering Department, Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jalan Letjen S. Parman 1, Jakarta 11440, Indonesia and Institute of Geology and Geophysics, Chinese Academy of Science, University of Chinese Academy of Science, Beijing 100029, China https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1024-029X
  • Wiwik Dahani Mining Engineering Department, Faculty of Earth and Energy Technology, Universitas Trisakti, Jalan Letjen S. Parman 1, Jakarta 11440, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6791-3117
  • Tiur Elysabeth Department of Chemical Engineering, Faculty of Engineering, Universitas Serang Raya, Serang 42162, Indonesia https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8641-5765

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3237

Keywords:

Produced water pollutants, electrochemical removal, ultrasonic treatment, scale causing ions, flocs characterization, hydrogen evolution, Faradaic efficiency

Abstract

Produced water from oil fields contains complex dissolved organic and inorganic species, including Ca²⁺, HCO₃⁻, and CO₃²⁻, which induce CaCO₃ scaling and hinder waterflooding operations. This study investigated the performance of electrocoagulation (EC) and ultrasonic-assisted electrocoagulation (sono-EC) for treating native produced water from Indonesian oil fields, focusing on scaling ion removal, floc structural characteristics, and hydrogen evolution. Experiments were conducted at pH 5, 7 and 9 using Al-SS316 electrodes under constant current conditions, with intermittent sonication applied to enhance Al³⁺ release and suppress electrode passivation. The results demonstrated that pH 7 provides optimal conditions for the formation of stable amorphous Al(OH)₃ flocs. Scanning electron microscopy analysis revealed a porous lamellar morphology that promotes ion adsorption and co-precipitation, resulting in the highest removal efficiencies of Ca²⁺, HCO₃⁻ and chemical oxygen demand (COD). Sonication further enhanced process performance by inducing cavitation-driven micro-mixing, accelerating floc growth, and increasing hydrogen evolution. Brunauer-Emmett-Teller and Barrett-Joyner-Halenda analyses confirmed pro­nounced pH-dependent differences in floc porosity and surface characteristics, which mechanistically explained variations in ion capture behaviour. Overall, the sono-EC operated at neutral pH offers an effective strategy to mitigate scaling potential, while hydrogen evolution is used as an electrochemical indicator of cathodic surface activity.

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Published

05-04-2026

Issue

Vol. 16 (2026)

Section

Electrochemical Engineering

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Copyright (c) 2026 Reno Pratiwi, Kartika Fajarwati Hartono, Maman Djumantara, Dina Asmaul Chusniyah, Wiwik Dahani, Tiur Elysabeth

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How to Cite

Scaling-ion removal from high-salinity produced water via sono-electrocoagulation: interplay of floc microstructure and electrochemical surface activity: Original scientific paper. (2026). Journal of Electrochemical Science and Engineering, 16, Article 3237. https://doi.org/10.5599/jese.3237

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