Removal of Metal Ions and Organic Solvents in Industrial Wastewater by An Electrochemical Technique using Porous Electrodes

摘要

Simulated wastewater containing 30 ppm of Zn{sup}(++), 30 ppm of Ni{sup}(++), and 200 ppm methyl propanol was treated using electrochemical and biological means concurrently. This synthetic wastewater was used to simulate the wastewater from polymer coating of metal parts such as that in automotive industry. A packed column aerator integrated with an electrochemical cell consisting of porous electrodes (RVC anode and porous aluminum cathode) was used in the treatment. Potassium sulfate was used as a supporting electrolyte to enhance the removal of Zn{sup}(++) and Ni{sup}(++). The data obtained indicated that both metal ions and the organic solvent could be removed concurrently and effectively. The porous electrodes have a very high surface area that increases the rate of metal removal significantly as expected. At 300 ppm of potassium sulfate, over 90% of Zn{sup}(++) was removed after 48 hours of treatment with a low applied voltage of 15V while Ni{sup}(++) removal was about 32%. At a lower concentration of 100 ppm of potassium sulfate, 68% of Zn{sup}(++) was removed while Ni{sup}(++) was hardly removed at all (2% removal). The BOD{sub}5 was also reduced by 65% after 3 days of treatment.