Copper Removal from an Effluent Generated by a Plastics Chromium-Plating Industry Using a Rotating Cylinder Electrode (RCE) Reactor

摘要

This work shows the application of a rotating cylinder electrode (RCE) in the removal of Cu(II) content from an effluent generated by a plastics chromium-plating industry, on the laboratory scale; in particular, it deals with rinse water from the electrolytic copper process. This process was designed to convert cupric ions in solution to metal powder. The generation of metal powders in the RCE was achieved at Reynolds numbers between 52925 and 83183 and limiting current densities (J_L) in the range of 17 to 25 mA cm~(-2). The removal of Cu(II) (initially 922 ppm) reached 43 ppm in 10 minutes of electrolysis for Re = 83183 and J = 25 mA cm~(-2), with a space-time yield of 88 mg Cu(Ⅱ) L~(-1) min~(-1), 95% current efficiency, and energy consumption of 5.3 KWh m~(-3). The electrochemical treatment applied to waste rinse water at the RCE allows this treated water to be recycled back to the same rinsing process, avoiding additional consumption and discharge of this liquid.