ABSTRACT
A number of specialized pr:ocesses have been developed for removal of heavy metals from waste discharges. For removal of metals from solution, these unit operations involve chemical precipitation (hydroxide, carbonate, sulfide, or combinations thereof), coagulation/flocculation, ion exchange, solvent extraction, cementation, complexation, electrochemical operations, evaporation, filtration, and membrane processes. Several reviews are found in the technical literature which summarize the various physical/chemical treatments for heavy metal removal (Dean et al., 1972; Lanouette, 1977; Patterson and Minear, 1975; Peters et al., 1985a).
