Removal of cyanide from dilute solution using a cell with three-phase three-dimensional electrode.

The removal of cyanide from dilute solutions containing free cyanide or cuprocyanide was experimentally investigated using a new electrochemical reactor, three-phase three-dimensional electrode cell. The experimental results were assessed in term of removal efficiency of cyanide. The results showed that the reactor could efficiently remove cyanide from the two solutions. The removal efficiency reached as high as about 93% for the two solutions by electrolysis for 10 min at 20 V cell voltage and 0.16 m3/h airflow. It was also observed that the removal efficiency depended on the applied cell voltage, airflow, interelectrode and initial pH value of the containing-cyanide solution. The former two factors have a positive effect while the latter two have a negative effect on cyanide removal in the experimental range.