Simultaneous recovery of heavy metals and degradation of organic species -copper and ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA)

In mixed industrial effluent the presence of metal ions can retard the dest ruction of organic contaminants and the efficiency of recovery of metal is reduced by the presence of the organic species. Results are presented for a copper-ethylenediaminetetra-acetic acid (EDTA) system in which both effect s occur. An electrochemical cell alone can be used to recover copper in pH range 1.5-4.5 but is not capable of achieving complete mineralisation of ED TA by anodic oxidation. A photolytic cell alone can achieve the destruction of EDTA at pH 3.5 but leaves copper in solution. A combined photolytic-ele ctrochemical system using an activated carbon concentrator cathode achieves the rapid simultaneous destruction of EDTA and recovery of copper. (C) 200 0 Society of Chemical Industry.