A consideration of the effects of solvent characteristics on cementation processes for the removal of toxic metals and wastes

Abstract

PurposeThe objective of the present work was to study the kinetics of copper cementation on Fe metal in an acetone‐water medium and in a dioxane‐water medium.Design/methodology/approachThe impact of solvent concentration on cementation rate was determined by measuring the rate of copper cementation from CuSO4 onto an iron plate in the absence and in the presence of acetone and dioxane solvents.The thermodynamic parameters ΔH#, ΔS# and ΔG# of the cementation of CuSO4‐organic solvents were calculated. Linear plots of ΔH# versus ΔS# were obtained.FindingsIt was demonstrated that the rate of cementation decreased with increasing concentration of solvents and increasing temperature. The isokinetic temperature data indicate that the cementation reaction is controlled by the entropy of the system.Originality/valueThe findings have important implications for the reclamation of toxic and valuable metals from industrial waste streams.