Efficiency of Removing Chromium from Plating Industry Wastewater using the Electrocoagulation Method

Aims Chromium is one of the most important metallic pollutants in plating industrywastewater. This toxic metal is a serious threat to human health and to the environment dueto its cumulative effects and non-degradability. This research intended to study the effects ofpH, contact time, and voltage on the degree of chromium removal from wastewater of platingindustry by using the electrocoagulation method.Materials & Methods This laboratory research conducted from late May to late November2012. A 1000cc reactor at laboratory scale was used that included 4 aluminum electrodesof 90% purity, dimensions of 5 by 10cm, and thickness of 1mm, with parallel arrangement.Synthetic chromium-bearing wastewater was prepared at the initial concentration of50mg/l. The process is done at pH values of 3, 7, and 9, electric potentials of 20, 30, and 40volts contact durations of 20, 40, 60, and 80 minutes.Findings The degree of chromium reduction did not change linearly with time in the solutionand strongly depended on the pH. The efficiency of chromium removal in the samples had anascending trend with increases in voltage from 20 to 30 and 40 volts. The degree of chromiumremoval increased at longer contact times.Conclusion Lower pH, more contact time and higher voltages are effective factors in thechromium removal from wastewater by coagulation method.

Efficiency of Removing Chromium from Plating Industry Wastewater using the Electrocoagulation Method Keywords:

Industry , Waste Water , Chromium , Electrocoagulation