Mrv. Lanza et R. Bertazzoli, Removal of Zn(II) from chloride medium using a porous electrode: current penetration within the cathode, J APPL ELEC, 30(1), 1999, pp. 61-70
An electrolytic process for the removal of zinc from aqueous solutions usin
g a flow-through cell with a reticulated vitreous carbon cathode is propose
d. The operational conditions for the reactor were optimized as a function
of the electrolyte pH, the cathode porosity and the solution flow rate. Bot
h a synthetic solution and a real effluent from an industrial electroplatin
g plant were processed until zinc concentration dropped from 50 to 0.1 mg d
m(-3) and from 152 to 0.5 mg dm(-3), respectively. After the processing of
the real effluent, tomographic images of the cathode were taken in order to
investigate the current depth penetration during electrolysis. Results hav
e shown that the current density decreases from the outer surface to the ce
ntre of the RVC cathode.