ELECTROCHEMICAL COPPER REMOVAL FROM DILUTE-SOLUTIONS BY PACKED-BED ELECTRODES

The performance of a rectangular packed bed particulate carbon electrode (with perpendicular current and electrolyte flow direction) has been determined for scavenging of copper ions from dilute solutions. The effects of bed conditions and flow rate on deposition rate have been examined. It has been found that carbon beds previously used for copper deposition and low flow rate enhance the process, resulting in the highest values of current efficiency. Under these conditions, the concentration of copper can be reduced to well below 1 ppm, which is lower than the proposed legal limits to be allowed for public water supplies. (C) 1994 Academic Press, Inc.