Festbettelektrolyse — ein Verfahren zur Reinigung metallhaltiger Abwässer

Abstract Fixed‐bed electrolysis – a process for purifying waste water contaminated with metals . In an effort to combine the purification of metal‐containing electroplating wastes with the recovery of valuable materials and a recycling of the wash water greater substitution of the hydroxide precipitation will be necessary in the future. The electrochemical separation of dissolved metals represents an interesting alternative if material transport is intensified by use of a fixed‐bed electrode and the specific surface area of the electrode is so increased that high yields of recovery are achievable from low concentrations. The separation of various metals and the influence of operating parameters have been investigated on a pilot‐plant scale, and separations of down to less than one 1000th of the initial concentration and final concentrations below 0.1 ppm are currently being achieved. On the basis of these investigations an automated full‐scale plant has been developed in collaboration with an industrial firm for the treatment of copper‐containing electroplating wash waters. The first results obtained in a trial run are given.