Cadmium removal from real mine water by electrocoagulation

摘要

This study investigated Cd removal from real mine water by electrocoagulation and iron-stainless steel anode/cathode combinations as well as aluminum-stainless steel anode/cathode combinations. Parameters such as time, current density and the type of electrodes were investigated to optimize the electrocoagulation process. It was found that the current density has a direct effect on the cadmium removal. Specifically, Cd was removed better at 70 mA/cm~2 than at 10 mA/cm~2. In addition, the reaction time has a direct effect on the removal of Cd. By increasing the time, Cd was removed at higher removal rates compared to the beginning of the reaction.On the other hand, it was understood that the type of electrodes has an influence on the removal of Cd. Specifically, Cd was removed much better by an iron-stainless steel anode/cathode combination than by an aluminum-stainless steel anode/cathode combination. The removal efficiency of the aluminum-stainless steel anode/cathode combination reached 82%, whereas the Cd removal efficiency by iron-stainless steel was 100% at 120 min of reaction and 70 mA/cm~2.The best condition for Cd removal was therefore obtained by using an iron-stainless steel anode/cathode combination with a current density and reaction time of 70 mA/cm~2 and 120 min, respectively. Cd was removed by 100% with the aforementioned condition.