Recovery of Copper by Electrodeposition Method from Electroplating Wastewater

Electrodeposition method was applied to recover copper from the simulation of copper-containing electroplating wastewater. Stainless steel plate is used as the cathode and the anode is made of titanium plate coated with RnO2+IrO2, titanium mesh coated with RnO2+IrO2 or stainless steel plate. The electrode potential of copper in electrolyte was calculated, and the effect of initial concentration of copper ions, temperature of electrolyte, voltage, electrode spacing, initial pH value and additive concentration on the recovery of copper was studied in detail. The experimental results showed that the proper anode is titanium plate coated with RnO2+IrO2.Under the condition ofinitial concentration of copper ions 25g/L, temperature of electrolyte 40°C, voltage 3.8V, electrode spacing 25mm, initial pH value 3.60, additive concentration 7.1g/L,the recovery rate of copper can achieve 99.4% and the current efficiency can achieve 88.5%.