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The use of precipitation to extract heavy metals from wastewater

2004

I'm a post graduate student in Northeastern University, Shenyang, Liaoning province, China. I'm majoring in Environmental Engineering. I just completed my taught part of the course. Now I'm compiling the methods I shall use in my research. My research topic is as follows:

Recovery of Copper from Mine Acid Drainage (mine wastewater). I have already come up with a number of methodologies. Ion exchange, Electrolysis and Reverse membrane Osmosis I'm considering to use when I start my laboratory work. My professor suggested that I used precipitation instead of electrolysis after the ion exchange process. So I want some information on the use of precipitation to extract heavy metals from wastewater. The university library has no material on this subject which is in English.

Yours,

Faithfully,

Agabu Shane
Student - Shenyang, Liaoning, China

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Agabu,

Precipitation can be fairly straightforward and simple. Adjust pH of acidic solution to minimum solubilty of metal you want removed. See this chart: www.finishing.com/library/metalpH.html Adjust pH up to around 9 for copper with sodium hydroxide or lime and filter off metal hydroxides. You may need to add a little polymer.

Trent Kaufman
electroplater - Galva, Illinois
2004