Abstract
To evaluate the feasibility of electrodialysis for copper removal from industrial wastewater, the effect of operating parameters on the removal of copper was experimentally estimated. The limiting current density (LCD) linearly increased with the copper concentration and the flow rate. The time when the copper concentration of diluate reaches to 3 mg/L was linearly proportional to initial concentration of diluate, and the concentration of concentrate did not affect the removal rate. Increase in the flow rate gave a positive effect on the removal rate and became insignificant at flow rates greater than 2.4 L/min. The removal rate increased with the applied voltage. From the operation of the electrodialysis module used in this research, the flow rate of 2.4 L/min and the voltage corresponding to the 80~90% of LCD were found be the optimum operating condition for the copper removal from highly concentrated copper solutions.