Stergiopoulos D.Dermentzis K.Spanos T.Giannakoudakis P.Agapiou A.0000-0002-3815-3593Stylianou, MarinosMarinosStylianou2024-12-192024-12-19201910.25103/jestr.123.01https://kypseli.ouc.ac.cy/handle/11128/8894In the present work a combined process is proposed for recovery of metallic copper from industrial electroplating wastewaters comprising electrocoagulation, acidic digestion and electrowinning. The wastewater with the initial Cu2+ ion concentration of 92 mg/L was first subjected to electrocoagulation where it successfully decreased under the upper allowed limit of 2 mg/L. Then, the obtained electrocoagulation sludge was treated with sulfuric acid for digestion and with caustic soda to reach pH 4.8 for precipitation and separation of insoluble aluminum hydroxide, whereas Cu2+ ions remain in solution. Finally, pure metallic copper was produced by electrowinning from the obtained concentrated Cu2+ ions solution. The work proposes the possibility of effectively treating toxic industrial electroplating wastewater accompanied by recovery of significant amounts of valuable pure metals, such as copper. � 2019 Eastern Macedonia and Thrace Institute of Technology.enArticle