The feasibility of using electrokinetic processes for dewatering and fecal coliform (FC) inactivation was evaluated on a bench scale. Six electrokinetic cells were filled with biosolids from an attached growth biological wastewater treatment plant in Auteuil, Quebec. A conditioning liquid containing nitrate and ammonia was also added to two cells. Potential gradients of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 V/cm were applied to the cells. The highest total solids content (62% TS) was achieved in the cell with the highest applied voltage and in the presence of the conditioner. No fecal coliforms were observed in the cells with conditioner. The cells without the conditioner exhibited FC inactivation in the anode area and lack of inactivation in the cathode area.Résumé : La faisabilité de la déshydratation et de l'inactivation des coliformes fécaux par l'utilisation de procédés électrocinétiques a été examinée à l'échelle du laboratoire. Six cellules électrocinétiques ont été remplies de biosolides provenant d'une usine de traitement biologique des eaux usées par cultures fixées d'Auteuil, au Québec. Un agent liquide de conditionnement contenant des nitrates et de l'ammoniaque a été ajouté à deux cellules. Les gradients de potentiel de 0,5, 1,0 et 1,5 V/cm ont été appliqués aux cellules. Le plus élevé contenu en solides totaux (62 % ST) a été atteint dans la cellule ayant la plus haute tension appliquée et en présence de l'agent de conditionnement. Aucun coliforme fécal n'a été observé dans les cellules contenant l'agent de conditionnement. Les cellules sans agent de conditionnement ont indiqué une inactivation des coliformes fécaux dans la région de l'anode et un manque d'inactivation dans la région de la cathode.

The feasibility of using electrokinetic processes for dewatering and pathogen inactivation of biosolids was evaluated on a bench scale. Raw primary sludge blended with the secondary biological sludge from the wastewater treatment plant in Laval (Quebec) was used. Six electrokinetic cells have been used in this study and a conditioner was also added to two cells. Potential gradients of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 V/cm were applied to the cells. Electrical parameters were measured and water was collected from the cathode area. Results showed the capability of dewatering to 62% TS or 38% water content. The highest solids content was achieved in the cell with the higher voltage in the presence of the conditioner. No fecal coliforms were observed in cells with conditioner. Under optimal operating conditions, the cell with a potential gradient of 1.5 V/cm exhibited the consumption of energy at 220 kWh/m 3 of biosolids. This method of dewatering appeared to have technical and economic merit and warrants further investigation.