ABSTRACT
An electrochemical method has been proposed for purification of effluents released by Cu smelting plants. It is based on electrolysis and subsequent secondary processes. The method is suitable for treating highly acidic effluents bearing As and Cu in high concentrations. The method has been tested by pilot scale experiments. The effluent pH value has been raised from 0 to 4.5. Concentrations of As and Cu have been decreased from 850 to 15–16 mg dm−3 and from 900 to 1–1.5 mg dm−3 correspondingly. The immobilization of As and Cu could be assigned mainly to precipitate formation. Arsenic is more strongly immobilized compared to As immobilization resulting from effluents treatment by Fe(III) salts addition or by liming. The method proposed is two-fold cheaper than the liming.
