Electrochemical reactor systems for pollution control and the removal of toxic metals from industrial wastewaters

Abstract

A review of electrochemical reactor systems for the recovery of metals and for pollution control applications is presented. The major engineering factors which influence the design of reactors are evaluated and the key features of two-dimensional and three-dimensional reactor designs are discussed. Some examples of the application of electrochemical reactors to the recovery of metals from dilute solutions are given in the form of case studies, covering both pollution control and resource recovery processes. Finally a comparison is made of the relative technical and economic merits of electrochemical recovery pollution control systems and conventional chemical waste treatment routes.