CALL US: (716) 743-9000 CONTACT

SAM CO
Separation from the ordinary
Industries v Solutions v Services v Technologies-Innovations v Education Center v fJ

SAM CO
Separation from the ordinary
Industries v Solutions v Services v Technologies-Innovations v Blog 1 Projects 1 Educational v
Home » Process Purification/Separation » What's the Best Way to Remove Copper from lndustrial
Wastewater?

Copper (Cu) is a heavy metal that is mined for and used in a variety of industrial
processes, including metals plating and printing as well as the manufacturing of electronic
components, circuit boards, paints, pigments, paper, pulp, and fertilizer. Like other heavy
metals, copper is a valuable yet potentially hazardous material that when present in
effluent streams must be closely monitored and managed. If your industrial facility has
copper high levels in your effluent, you might be wondering what are the best ways to
remove copper from industrial wastewater?

ln this article, we'll identify some common treatment technologies for reducing copper
levels in wastewater and explore the pros and cons of each.
What is the best wastewater treatment system
for removing copper?
There are several technologies used for copper separation, each of which offers benefits
that can vary widely according to the particularities of the application. ln short, the best
copper separation strategy is one that is most suitable to the facility in terms of the
unique process conditions, waste stream characteristics, and objectives and priorities of
the wastewater treatment project. When evaluating potential copper removal strategies,
facilities need to assess their wastewater streams (e.g. concentration of copper and other
constituants present, as well as temperature, pH, flow rates, and variability), while also
balancing other factors, such as available space, upfront and ongoing costs, labor and
training to support system operations and maintenance, and other considerations.

The below list provides a quick overview of wastewater treatment technologies that are
commonly used for separating copper out of industrial waste streams:

Chemical precipitation
Chemical precipitation is among the more popular treatment strategies employed for
copper removal, as it is relatively simple and economical. The process essentially consists
of adding chemical precipitants to a stream, which interact with copper ions to form
insoluble precipitates that can then be removed by physical separation, such as filtration
or clarification . When looking to chemical precipitation for copper removal, facilities should
be aware that the degree of copper removal depends upon which chemical precipitants
are used, and not all will reduce copper levels below allowable discharge limits.

Approaches include hydroxide and sulfide precipitation as well as chelating agents and
lime precipitation. Precipitation can also entail excessive chemical consumption and
sludge production when used for copper removal, so facilities need to plan for both of
these aspects when considering potential treatment strategies.

ln general, chemical precipitation is a good fit for wastewater streams with high
concentrations of copper though it tends to be less efficient when metal content is
low.

Dissolved air flotation

Dissolved air flotation (DAF) is a wastewater treatment technique where chemical
coagulants are added to a stream to encourage contaminants to collect into small
particles. Treatment proceeds with the introduction of air bubbles that encourage the
particles to the surface, where they form a sludge layer that can be removed. While there
are other types of flotation, including ion flotation and precipitation flotation, DAF remains
the most popular type of flotation technology for the removal of copper and other
metals. Among the benefits of DAF are high efficiency and selectivity for copper removal,
short retention time, low operational costs, and smaller, more concentrated sludge
volumes comparative to sedimentation. Facilities considering DAF for copper removal,
however, do need to consider that the technology entails a high capital investment and
significant maintenance demands.

Adsorption
Adsorption is a treatment technology that leverages forces of molecular attraction to
separate contaminants from water. Physical adsorption technologies are commonly used
for copper and other metals removal, and the process generally consists of passing a
wastewater stream through adsorbent media. There are many kinds of adsorbent
media that can be used for copper removal, including activated carbon , carbon
nanotubes, zeolite, clay, as well as biomass comprised of fungi, algae, or microbes.

Since the copper ions (or other metals) are more attracted to the adsorbent media than
they are to the water, they are effectively pulled out of solution and remain on the surface
of the media while the wastewater effluent flows through. Adsorption offers many benefits
to facilities looking for copper removal technologies, as it is a relatively simple process
from a technical standpoint with low operational costs and easy accessibility for adsorbent
media. Drawbacks to consider include low adsorption capacity and limited regeneration of
adsorption media, bath of which can result in higher costs associated with frequent media
replacement. As a result, adsorption is best used for streams with relatively low
concentrations of copper.

Ion exchange
Ion exchange (IX) is a physical-chemical treatment process where a wastewater stream is
passed through a resin substrate that facilitates the exchange of charged ions, such as
copper. The resin selectively captures these charged particles from solution, retaining
them until the resin is regenerated .

IX is an effective approach for copper removal in streams with low concentrations

of metal ions, although effectiveness can vary depending upon stream pH. When using
IX for copper removal, facilities need to plan for regular regeneration and maintenance
schedules to ensure that the system continues to perform efficiently in reducing copper to
allowable levels. Additionally, facilities will need to have a plan for treatment and safe
disposai of IX waste products, including waste resulting from regeneration cycles and
contaminated rinse water. Generally speaking, IX is a less viable option for streams with
high concentrations of copper due to excessive maintenance and discharge costs.

Membrane filtration
Membrane filtration is a pressure-driven physical separation process where a liquid
stream is passed through a semi-permeable filtration membrane. Any particles larger than
the membrane's pores are retained, while the liquid stream is able to pass through. The
types of membrane filtration commonly used for copper removal
include nanofiltration (NF), reverse osmosis (RO), and electrodialysis. Ultrafiltration
(UF) can also be used, though its pore size range is too large to effectively capture copper
ions on its own, so it must be used in combination with other treatment technologies.
Membrane filtration technologies can be a good choice for wastewater treatment
strategies where stringent discharge limits are an issue and where reclamation and
recovery of copper or other valuable materials is a priority.

Facilities considering membrane filtration for copper removal need to weigh the
drawbacks as well, which can include high operational costs for cleaning, maintenance,
and replacement of membranes, moderate to high energy consumption, and flow rate
limitations.
Can SAMCO help?
SAMCO has over 40 years' experience custom-designing and manufacturing wastewater
treatment systems, sa please feel free ta reach out ta us with your questions. For more
information or ta get in touch, contact us here. You can also visit our website ta set up a
call with an engineer or request a quote. We can walk you through the steps for
developing the proper solution and realistic cost for your wastewater treatment system ta
meet your copper and heavy metals removal needs.

For more articles on wastewater treatment, head on over ta our blog. Sorne that might be
of interest ta you include:
• How Do You Know If An lndustrial Facility Needs a Wastewater Treatment System?
• How ta Choose the Best Wastewater Treatment System for Your Plant
• Seven Ways Your Facility lsn't Meeting Effluent Regulations and How ta Solve Them
• The Importance of Wastewater Treatment for Your Facility: ls it Necessary?
• 9 of the Best lndustrial Wastewater Treatment Equipment Supply and Technology
Companies
• What ls a Wastewater Treatability Study and How Does it Work?
• How Much Does a Water/Wastewater Treatability Study Cast for Your Plant?
• What Are the New Steam Electric Power Generating Effluent Guidelines and What
Do They Mean for Your Plant?
• How Much Does a Wastewater Treatment System Cast? (Pricing, Factors, Etc.)
 Sign up for our
SAM CO newsletter
Separation from t h e ordinary

Over 10,000 of your peers

Q
SAMCO promises can't be wrong, can they?
Join them by getting our
Address \., > About Us

complete partner
Phone Number ) Partners and
T and customer

satisfaction
free Monthly Newsletter.
Email Address*
One River Rock Dr.

PO Box 1047 General - (716) 743-

Clients

through our
1 Buffalo, NY 14207 9000 ) FAO Employee
comprehensive, First Name* 4 Parts - (716) 549-6600
Fax-(716) 743-1220
) Indu striai Store
project-based Email Address Wastewater
approach that sales@samcotech.com Treatment Guide:
Last Name*
delivers Expanded Edition
customized
) Employment
industrial
solutions.