title: Optimization of copper removal from aqueous solutions in a continuous electrochemical cell divided by cellulosic separator.
abstract: Copper, as an inseparable part of many industrial discharges, threatens both public and environmental health. In this work, an electrochemical cell utilizing a cellulosic separator was used to evaluate Cu removal using graphite anodes and stainless steel cathodes in a continuous-flow mode reactor. In the experimental matrix, Cu concentration (1-5 mg L-1), electrolysis time (20-90 min), and current intensity (0.1-0.4 A) were employed. Results showed that the maximum removal efficiency of copper was obtained as 99%. The removal efficiency was independent of initial copper concentration and directly related to electrolysis time and current intensity. Energy consumption was more dependent on current intensity than electrolysis time. Under optimal conditions (75.8 min electrolysis time, 0.18 A current intensity, and 3 mg L-1copper concentration), the removal efficiency was obtained as 91% while 7.05 kWh m-3electrical energy was consumed. The differences between the actual and predicted data under optimal conditions were 0.42% for copper removal and 0.23% for energy consumption, which signify the performance and reliability of the developed models. The results exhibited the suitability of the electrochemical reduction for copper removal from aqueous solutions, which was facilitated under alkaline conditions prevailing in the cathodic compartment due to applying a cell divided by a cellulosic separator.
authors.affiliation: Health Sciences Research Center, Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 18th Daneshgah Street, Mashhad, Iran.
authors.forename: Ali Asghar
authors.initials: AA
authors.lastname: Najafpoor
authors.affiliation: Department of Environmental Health Engineering, School of Health, Torbat Heydariyeh University of Medical Sciences, Razi Street, Torbat Heydariyeh, Iran.
authors.forename: Mojtaba
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Davoudi
authors.affiliation: Student Research Committee, School of Health, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, 18th Daneshgah Street, Mashhad, Iran E-mail: rahmanpoure1991@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Elham Rahmanpour
authors.initials: ER
authors.lastname: Salmani
mesh_terms: D000704:Analysis of Variance; D002482:Cellulose / Q000737:chemistry*; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification*; D004563:Electrochemistry / Q000295:instrumentation* / Q000379:methods*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D015203:Reproducibility of Results; D012996:Solutions; D013816:Thermodynamics; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification*
chemical_list: D012996:Solutions; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper; D002482:Cellulose