Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater by Electrocoagulation

Abstract

Selection of the optimal method for the removal of heavy metals remains a scientific challenge in terms of efficiency, cost-effectiveness and preservation of environment. In this paper, the aim of the study was to remove the zinc ions (Zn2+) from a sample of real waste water from galvanizing plant. Method of electrocoagulation (EC), which is based on the separation of the solid phase, formed by the presence of dissolved ions from inserted electrode, has been tested and applied within this research. Based on the results obtained by electrocoagulation, it can be concluded that the method is efficient and can quickly remove zinc ions from solution. The optimal removal was achieved when concentration of Zn2+ ions was reduced from 46.9 to 1.89 mg/L, after 10 minutes of laboratory EC.