Removal of zinc ions in wastewater by electrodialysis

To obtain useful data for treatment of the wastewater discharged from zinc electroplating processes, we investigated the effects of operating parameters, such as the initial concentration of dilute solution, the flow velocity and the applied voltage, on removal rate of Zn2+ in the model solutions using an electrodialysis system. Zinc ions in the solutions were effectively removed by the electrodialyzer with CMX canon exchange membranes and AMX anion exchange membranes. The initial concentration of dilute solution, the flow velocity and the applied voltage strongly affected the performance of the electrodialysis system. As the initial concentration of dilute solution, the flow velocity and the applied voltage were increased, the removal ratio was increased. The energy consumption was increased as the initial concentration of dilute solution and the applied voltage were increased, whereas the effect of the flow velocity on the energy consumption was negligible.