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Application of electrocoagulation for removal of toxic metals from industrial effluents

Publication at Faculty of Science |
2019

Abstract

The presented contribution deals with the application of the method for removal of hexavalent chromium from an industrial effluent. The experimental approach followed the path from a laboratory towards a pilot-scale unit.

Initially, the laboratory unit was used for optimization of the most important process parameters and it was demonstrated that hexavalent chromium could be efficiently removed from the treated effluent using the technology. Optimization experiments revealed high efficacy in the removal of Cr6+ together with its reduction towards Cr3+, and total removal efficacy exceeded 95%.

Experiments with industrial effluent revealed a reduction in Cr-tot. below detection limit. Pilot-scale unit was used for long-term trials focused on the treatment of the industrial effluent.

A continuous pilot-scale unit (0.5m(3)/h) was operated on contaminated industrial site and revealed removal efficiencies of all contaminants below detection limit. Power consumption during the process was only 0.24kWh/m(3); all the contaminants were reduced below their detection limit.