Electrolytic Cobalt Removal in Wastewater

Abstract

Industrial effluents containing cobalt ions have become a serious problem for the environment, unless properly treated, due to their toxic potential. Currently there has been an intensification of the use of cobalt in several industrial sectors as super alloys, catalysts, batteries and pigments in ceramic materials, and a consequent intensification also of environmental contamination. This paper aims to show a simple and effective treatment for the removal of cobalt ions from simulated industrial wastewater, based on cathodic eletrolytic removal using a carbon steel screen. As a result, a 73% removal of cobalt ions from solutions was achieved with a concentration of 400 mg Co 2+ /L, a current of 0.30 A and a voltage of 30 V. In the same conditions, 84% and 88% was removed from 200 mg Co 2+ /L and 100 mg Co 2+ /L, respectively. Thus, this method presents itself as a cheap and efficient alternative for the treatment of industrial effluents containing cobalt ions.