Galvanostatic removal of zinc using copper cathode from waste waters of a viscose production

A study of galvanostatic conditions for removing zinc by using a copper cathode vs. platinum anode in the models and real industrial waters (containing ca 100 mg L−1 zinc sulphate) from viscose productions was performed. The amount mZn of deposited Zn, its concentration cZn decrease, pH (between 2 and 6.5) as well as an electric conductivity κ (0.5 to 5 mS cm−1) of treated aqueous solutions dependent on time t (between 0 and 5 h) at selected current densities i (from 1 to 50 mA cm−2) were registered. The way of testing effects of the applied current densities and time or present pH, potential interferences etc. has been suggested. On the bases of the evaluation or fitting experimental data, an optimum of technological conditions were recommended and discussed.