Electrochemical method of lead (II) ions removal from wastewater using granular graphite electrodes

The article presents an electrochemical method of wastewater treatment from Pb (II) ions with the help of granular graphite electrodes. The cathode was made of graphite particles and the anode was made of rod graphite. Features of wastewater treatment from heavy metals by using developed surface granular graphite electrodes were revealed. Electrochemical research was carried out in a flow mode in a two-chamber electrolyzer. Effect of different electrochemical parameters (current density, electrolyte flow rate, initial concentration of lead (II) ions in solution, size of graphite granules, and concentration of additional cations in solution) to the reduction process of Pb (II) on lump graphite was studied. Results reveal that the removal value of Pb (II) hit a peak at 150A/m2 current density and gradually decreased at a higher value. The efficiency of electrolysis in the flow mode was demonstrated. It was found that the initial concentration of lead ions in the electrode process was insignificant, while the concentration of additional cations had a significant effect. Using very small particles of granular graphite electrodes caused an agglomeration. At an optimal condition, (i=150 A/m2; V=150 ml/h; [Pb2+] = 200 mg/l; s= 0.05 cm3) treatment value of wastewater from Pb (II) ions reached 97.6±0.3 %.