Chlorine-free emission disposal of spent acid etchant in a three-compartment ceramic membrane reactor

doi:10.1016/j.cjche.2019.04.026

Abstract

Abstract: Electrochemical technologies for the on-site treatment of spent acid etchant have received great attention due their ease of operation and economic benefits. On the other hand, a large amount of Cl₂ is generated during the electrolysis process, which leads to potential environmental risks. In the present work, a novel threecompartment ceramic membrane flow reactor, including a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, and a gas absorption chamber was developed. The three chambers were divided by an Al₂O₃ ceramic membrane and a breathable hydrophobic anode diffusion electrode (ADE). The Cl₂ evolution onset potential of the ADE was increased to 1.19 V from 1.05 V of the graphite felt, effectively inhibiting the chlorine evolution reaction (CER). The anode-generated Cl₂ diffused into the gas absorption chamber through the ADE and was eventually consumed by the H₂O₂ adsorbent. Cu could be recovered without emitting chlorine due to the special structure of reactor. The current efficiency of copper precipitation and cathode reduction from Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ reached 97.7% at a working current of 150 mA. These results indicated that the novel membrane reactor had high potential for application in the copper recovery industry.

Key words: Spent acid etchant, Chlorine evolution reaction, Anode diffusion electrode, Three-compartment reactor, Ceramic membrane

摘要： Electrochemical technologies for the on-site treatment of spent acid etchant have received great attention due their ease of operation and economic benefits. On the other hand, a large amount of Cl₂ is generated during the electrolysis process, which leads to potential environmental risks. In the present work, a novel threecompartment ceramic membrane flow reactor, including a cathode chamber, an anode chamber, and a gas absorption chamber was developed. The three chambers were divided by an Al₂O₃ ceramic membrane and a breathable hydrophobic anode diffusion electrode (ADE). The Cl₂ evolution onset potential of the ADE was increased to 1.19 V from 1.05 V of the graphite felt, effectively inhibiting the chlorine evolution reaction (CER). The anode-generated Cl₂ diffused into the gas absorption chamber through the ADE and was eventually consumed by the H₂O₂ adsorbent. Cu could be recovered without emitting chlorine due to the special structure of reactor. The current efficiency of copper precipitation and cathode reduction from Cu²⁺ to Cu⁺ reached 97.7% at a working current of 150 mA. These results indicated that the novel membrane reactor had high potential for application in the copper recovery industry.

关键词: Spent acid etchant, Chlorine evolution reaction, Anode diffusion electrode, Three-compartment reactor, Ceramic membrane

Fanglu Yuan, Lele Cui, Peipei Ding, Wenheng Jing. Chlorine-free emission disposal of spent acid etchant in a three-compartment ceramic membrane reactor[J]. Chinese Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2020, 28(1): 271-278.

Fanglu Yuan, Lele Cui, Peipei Ding, Wenheng Jing. Chlorine-free emission disposal of spent acid etchant in a three-compartment ceramic membrane reactor[J]. 中国化学工程学报, 2020, 28(1): 271-278.

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