Innovative Separation of Nano-particles, Heavy Metals and Dyes from Industrial Effluents via Electro-Flotation

Abstract

Industrial effluents contain high amounts of heavy metal ions, coloring materials and suspended particles. The pollutants in industrial effluents must be controlled to an acceptable level before being discharged to the environment. Although, there are different techniques could be used for removal of pollutants, they have limitations. Electro-flotation is a technology that combines the conventional coagulation, flotation, and electrochemistry. It operates based on the cations produced electrically from iron or aluminum anodes which form gelatinous insoluble hydroxides. These gelatinous hydroxides coagulate the contaminants from an aqueous medium. The gas bubbles produced during electrolysis can carry the flocculated pollutants to the top. It requires simple equipment, low initial investment, low operating cost and requiring no chemicals.