Development of Electroflotation Technology for Extraction of Anionic Surfactants and Nonferrous Metal Ions from Wastewater Produced at Electroplating Industries

Abstract

Sorption extraction of anionic surfactants NaDDS and NaDBS on freshly formed iron(III) and aluminum(III) hydroxides and on a highly dispersed activated carbon of OU-B brand was experimentally studied. It was shown that NaDDS is the most fully sorbed on Al(OH)₃ and OU-B, whereas on Fe(OH)₃, the maximum sorption is observed for NaDBS. The electroflotation extraction of anionic surfactants and poorly soluble iron(III) and aluminum(III) hydroxides was examined and the influence exerted by the following factors (pH, nature of electrolyte, surfactant concentration) on the degree of extraction of these substances was analyzed. In addition, electroflotation extraction of OU-B in the presence on nonferrous metal hydroxides and surfactants of varied nature from aqueous solutions was performed. The results obtained were used to develop a technological scheme for electroflotation of complex-composition wastewater.