Removal of lead from industrial wastewater using flow-by-porous electrode

Abstract

Lead present in several industrial wastes has deleterious effects on the quality of water. Cathodic deposition has been considered as one of the suitable means for lead removal. Experiments were carried out using a lab-scale electrochemical cell incorporating flowby porous graphite electrodes at steady state conditions. The effects of flow rate, current density, lead influent concentration and pH, on lead removal efficiency, current efficiency, lead removal rates, and cell potential, were investigated. It was found that the maximum removal efficiency (97.75%) was obtained at flow rate (100 mL/min), for initial concentration (40 mg/L), with a residual concentration (0.9 mg/L) and maximum current efficiency of (60.7%). In addition, the recovery of lead from wastewater was investigated.