Rodriguez Jackson, Stopić Srećko, Krause Gregor, Friedrich Bernd
RWTH Aachen University, Process Metallurgy and Metal Recycling IME, Intzestr. 3, 52056 Aachen, Germany.
Environ Sci Pollut Res Int. 2007 Nov;14(7):477-82. doi: 10.1065/espr2007.05.424.
BACKGROUND, AIM AND SCOPE: Electrocoagulation (EC) may be a potential answer to environmental problems dealing with water reuse and rational waste management. The aim of this research was to assess the feasibility of EC-process for industrial contaminated effluents from copper production, taking into consideration technical and economical factors. EC-technology claims to offer efficient removal rates for most types of wastewater impurities at low power consumption and without adding any precipitating agents.
Real wastewater from Saraka stream with high concentrations of heavy metals was provided by RTB-BOR, a Serbian copper mining and smelting complex. Runs were performed on a 10 l EC-reactor using aluminum plates as sacrificial electrodes and powered by a 40 A supply unit. Results concerning key factors like pH, conductivity and power consumption were measured in real time. Analysis of dissolved metal concentrations before and after treatment were carried out via ICP-OES and confirmed by an independent test via AAS.
Several aspects were taken into account, including current density, conductivity, interfacial resistivity and reactor settings throughout the runs, in order to analyze all possible factors playing a role in neutralization and metal removal in real industrial wastewater.
Electrode configurations and their effects on energy demand were discussed and exemplified based on fundamentals of colloidal and physical chemistry.
Based on experimental data and since no precipitating agents were applied, the EC-process proved to be not only feasible and environmentally-friendly, but also a cost-effective technology
The EC-technology provides strategic guidelines for further research and development of sustainable water management processes. However, additional test series concerning continuous operation must be still performed in order to get this concept ready for future large-scale applications.
背景、目的与范围：电凝法（EC）可能是解决水回用及合理废物管理所涉及环境问题的一个潜在方法。本研究的目的是在考虑技术和经济因素的情况下，评估电凝法处理铜生产工业污染废水的可行性。电凝技术声称能在低功耗且不添加任何沉淀剂的情况下，对大多数类型的废水杂质实现高效去除率。
塞尔维亚铜矿业和冶炼企业RTB - BOR提供了来自萨拉卡溪的重金属浓度高的实际废水。在一个10升的电凝反应器中进行实验，使用铝板作为牺牲电极，并由一个40A的供电单元供电。实时测量了诸如pH值、电导率和功耗等关键因素的结果。通过电感耦合等离子体发射光谱法（ICP - OES）对处理前后溶解金属浓度进行分析，并通过原子吸收光谱法（AAS）进行独立测试加以确认。
在整个实验过程中考虑了几个方面，包括电流密度、电导率、界面电阻和反应器设置，以便分析在实际工业废水中参与中和及金属去除的所有可能因素。
基于胶体和物理化学基本原理，讨论并举例说明了电极配置及其对能量需求的影响。
基于实验数据，且由于未使用沉淀剂，电凝法不仅被证明是可行且环保的，而且是一种具有成本效益的技术。
电凝技术为可持续水管理工艺的进一步研发提供了战略指导方针。然而，仍必须进行有关连续运行的额外测试系列，以使这一概念为未来大规模应用做好准备。
