Integrated electrolytic-electrodialytic apparatus and process for recovering metals from metal ion-containing waste streams
AssigneeKing Fahd University of Petroleum and Minerals
InventorsSleem Rahman, Nabil Abo-Ghander, Syed Javaid Zaidi
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Abstract
An apparatus and method for the electrolytic and electrodialytic removal of metal ions from wastewater in a single cell. A battery of cells, each of which consists of a cathode, anode, anion exchange membrane and cation exchange membrane, is used. The battery of cells may be used in both batch and continuous processes, and is capable of reducing metal ion concentration from thousand ppm to few ppm. It can be used to concentrate dilute acids as a by-product.
Claims20
An integrated electrolysis and electrodialysis apparatus for recovering metals from wastewater, said apparatus comprising a plurality of cells, wherein each of said cells comprises
- (a) a wastewater chamber, a catholyte chamber, and an anolyte chamber;
- (b) an anion exchange membrane disposed between said anolyte chamber and said wastewater chamber;
- (c) a cation exchange membrane disposed between said catholyte chamber and said wastewater chamber;
- (d) an anode disposed in said anolyte chamber;
- and
- (e) a cathode disposed in said catholyte chamber.
A process for recovering metal ions from water, said process comprising,
- (a) providing an apparatus comprising a plurality of cells, wherein each of said cells comprises a wastewater chamber having an inlet and an outlet, a catholyte chamber, and an anolyte chamber;
- an anion exchange membrane disposed between said anolyte chamber and said wastewater chamber;
- a cation exchange membrane disposed between said catholyte chamber and said wastewater chamber;
- an anode disposed in said anolyte chamber;
- and a cathode disposed in said catholyte chamber;
- (b) providing an anolyte in said anolyte chamber;
- (c) providing a catholyte in said catholyte chamber;
- (d) providing water to be treated in said wastewater chamber;
- said water comprising anions and cations;
- (e) applying a potential difference across said anode and cathode;
- (f) allowing said anions to diffuse through said anion exchange membrane;
- (g) allowing said cations to diffuse through said cation exchange membrane;
- and
- (h) recovering treated water and metal ions.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.