Recovery of heavy metals and water from effluent - by use of ion exchange for sepn. of heavy metal ions and subsequent extraction for recovery by electrolysis

摘要

In a process for the recovery of heavy metals by use of an ion exchange column contg. ion exchange resin and an electrolytic bath, waste water contg. heavy metal and other ions is passed through the ion exchange column for adsorption of the heavey metal ions and sepn. of the other ions and the electrolyte is passed through the resin exhausted by heavy metal ions and continuously passed into the electrolytic bath for electrolytic sepn. of the heavy metal ions. The process can also be adapted for the recovery of heavy metal and industrially pure water from waste water in a closed system contg. a metal surface treatment plant, =1 ion exchange columns, an electrolytic bath, and demineralising equipment, such that the latter receives water from the ion exchange column during the removal of the heavy metal ions for purification and further removal of other ions, the water being returned to the treatment process. The process can be used for recovery of heavy metals from water used in refining, surface treatment etc., Other methods are less effective when ion concn. is high and may cause anode corrosion, necessitating use of e.g. Pt. anode, not required with this process.