Combined Electrocoagulation/Electrowinning Process for Recovery of Metallic Copper from Electroplating Effluents
Date
2019Author
Stergiopoulos, D.Dermentzis, K.
Spanos, T.
Giannakoudakis, Panagiotis
Agapiou, Agapios
Stylianou, M.
Source
Journal of Engineering Science and Technology ReviewVolume
12Issue
3Pages
1-4Google Scholar check
Metadata
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In the present work a combined process is proposed for recovery of metallic copper from industrial electroplating wastewaters comprising electrocoagulation, acidic digestion and electrowinning. The wastewater with the initial Cu2+ ion concentration of 92 mg/L was first subjected to electrocoagulation where it successfully decreased under the upper allowed limit of 2 mg/L. Then, the obtained electrocoagulation sludge was treated with sulfuric acid for digestion and with caustic soda to reach pH 4.8 for precipitation and separation of insoluble aluminum hydroxide, whereas Cu2+ ions remain in solution. Finally, pure metallic copper was produced by electrowinning from the obtained concentrated Cu2+ ions solution. The work proposes the possibility of effectively treating toxic industrial electroplating wastewater accompanied by recovery of significant amounts of valuable pure metals, such as copper