Title: Determination of operational parameters for an Electrocoagulation/Flotation (ECF) batch reactor used in the treatment of wastewater with cadmium ions

Authors: Mario G. Cora, Yung-Tse Hung

Addresses: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cleveland State University, 4909 Rockingham Lane, Bowie, MD 20175, USA. ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Cleveland State University, 16945 Deerfield Dr., Strongsville, OH 44136-6214, USA

Abstract: An Electrocoagulation/Flotation (ECF) reactor was built to treat wastewater with heavy metals. Cadmium chloride was the source of metallic ions. Solutions were prepared between 10 mg/L and 30 mg/L, pH values of 8.0, 9.5 and 10.5, using lime as the coagulant. The ECF reactor was able to achieve metal removal efficiencies between 90% and 99% for all the applied current levels, after 30 min. Summarised operational parameters for reactor are: applied current of three amperes, treatment time of 30 min, at a pH of 9.5. The studies demonstrated that the technology produces a photosludge that requires proper removal and disposal.

Keywords: cadmium chloride; steady state modelling; electrocoagulation; electroflotation; heavy metals; metal removal; physicochemical processes; wastewater treatment; flotation.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2009.026439

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2009 Vol.1 No.1, pp.3 - 19

Published online: 11 Jun 2009 *

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