Electrochemical Separation of Metal Silver from Industrial Wastewater

Abstract

Investigation into the separation of metal silver from industrial wastewater using electrochemical cell was carried out. Wastewater from photo laboratories was collected and treated batch wise using electrolytic equipment. A constant voltage of 2.0 V and variable current in the range of 0.3 - 0.6 A at normal temperature were passed through the electrolyte for a period from 0.25 - 1.0 h. The results showed that increase in current yield an increase in the amount of metallic silver recovered with highest values of 2.3 g and 2.8 g at 0.6 A for the tested samples 1 and 2, respectively. The electrochemical separation method proved to be more reliable and economical when compared to other methods and also, reduction in environmental pollution of industrial wastewater containing high concentration of silver metal is achieved.