Treatment of Berberine Wastewater Containing Copper by Fe-C Microelectrolysis Process: A Pilot-scale Test

The berberine wastewater containing copper was pretreated by pilot scale Fe-C microelectrolysis reactor- ion exchange column combined process. When a certain amount of iron and activated carbon were added into the reactor, the COD_Cr and Cu²⁺ removal efficiency were tested, and the copper recovery process was designed. The results showed that the berberine wastewater containing copper with initial COD_Cr concentration of 60 000~80 000 mg/L and Cu²⁺ concentration of 12 000~18 000mg/L could be pretreated effectively by Fe-C microelectrolysis reactor-ion exchange column combined process. The COD_Cr removal efficiency was higher than 44% and Cu²⁺ removal efficiency higher than 79% under the conditions of iron and activated carbon dosage being both 300 g/L, the hydraulic retention time (HRT) of 120 min and ion exchange column HRT of 60 min. 12~13 kg bronze per ton wastewater could be recovered, having realized the cyclic utilization of bronze.