Removal of Cyanide from Liquid Waste by Electrochemical Oxidation in a New Cell Design Employing a Graphite Anode

Abstract

Removal of CN− from liquid solutions was studied experimentally by an anodic oxidation technique under various operating conditions. A new cell configuration was used, the cell consists of four vertical graphite rod anodes distributed at 90° on the circular circumference at a distance of 3 cm from the wall and surrounded by two cylindrical stainless steel screen cathodes from the inner and the outer side. Parameters investigated are the initial concentration of cyanide ions, applied current density, initial pH of the electrolyte, and electrolyte conductivity. All parameters were investigated at an operating time of 3 h. The % removal increased upon increasing the applied current density, increasing the electrolyte conductivity, and decreasing the initial concentration of CN−. Increasing initial pH from 4 to 8 increased the % removal by a factor ranging from 55 to 73%, further increase of pH up to 12 slightly increased the % removal (3–8%).Application of the present electrochemical reactor in treating cyanide containing effluents from different industries was highlighted.