Copper is a common metal found in industrial water and wastewater streams. It can be present in different forms, such as dissolved, suspended, or precipitated. While it may be essential in small quantities, excessive copper can be harmful to the environment and human health. Therefore, industries must remove copper from their wastewater before discharging it. In this blog, we’ll discuss some common copper removal methods and introduce ElectraMet’s innovative solution, which can remove copper and return it in a pure sheet for reuse or recycling.

Common Copper Removal Methods

Precipitation: Copper can be removed from water by adding chemicals that cause it to form a solid precipitate. This method is called chemical precipitation or chemical coagulation, and it involves adding chemicals such as lime, sodium hydroxide, or ferrous sulfate to the water. The chemicals react with copper to form a solid particle that can be removed through settling or filtration. However, this process requires a large amount of chemicals, produces a significant amount of sludge, and requires additional treatment steps to ensure the water is safe for discharge.

Ion Exchange: Ion exchange is a process that involves removing copper ions from water by exchanging them with other ions. The water passes through a resin bed containing charged particles that attract and retain copper ions. However, ion exchange generates a significant amount of wastewater and can require additional treatment steps to ensure the water is safe for discharge.

Membrane Filtration: Membrane filtration is a physical separation process that uses a semi-permeable membrane to remove copper and other contaminants from water. Most water passes through the membrane forming a permeate stream, leaving contaminants behind in a concentrate stream. This method can be effective, but it can be expensive, and the membrane may require frequent replacement.

ElectraMet’s Solution

ElectraMet has developed a revolutionary solution that can entirely remove copper from industrial water and wastewater. Our solution is chemical-free and uses low amounts of power while taking up a small footprint in an industrial complex. Unlike other copper removal methods, our solution returns the metal as a pure sheet to the customer. This means that our customers can recover and reuse the copper, which reduces waste and saves resources. Additionally, ElectraMet’s solution does not require settling tanks, coagulation, filter presses, or any of the other dirty parts of the copper removal process. We also do not produce a waste product, making our solution environmentally friendly and cost-effective.

Conclusion

In summary, copper is a common metal found in industrial water and wastewater, and industries must remove it before discharging into the environment. While there are several copper removal methods available, most of them have notable limitations, such as producing a significant amount of sludge or wastewater. ElectraMet’s solution is an innovative and sustainable approach to copper removal that returns copper in a pure sheet for reuse or recycling. By using ElectraMet’s solution, industries can reduce waste, save resources, and comply with discharge regulations.