Using Photovoltaic to Remove Heavy Metals from Industrial Water

Abstract

Heavy metals pollution has become a more serious environmental problem in the last several decades as a result of releasing toxic materials into the environment. The aim of this study is to develop an ecological method for the removal of Ni²⁺ ions from industrial wastewater by an electro coagulation method using aluminum plates and solar cell as a source of D.C current. In this study, different conditions of pH of 4, 6, 7, and 8, current densities of 0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 mA/cm², and nickel ion concentrations of 200, 300, and 500 ppm were investigated during a period of time of 120 minutes to remove nickel ions prepared waste water by electro coagulation. The total removal of nickel ions was (97.5- 99.5%), (97- 99%), and (96.67-98.8%) for pH (4-8), current density (0.5-1.5 mA/cm²) and nickel ions concentration (200-500 ppm), respectively. The results show that the optimum condition of electro coagulation process can be obtained at pH = 8 and current density 1.5 mA/cm² when 120 minutes were elapsed.