REMOVAL OF CYANIDE FROM AQUEOUS STREAMS

摘要

Cyanide present in aqueous streams, such as effluents from electroplating and gold mining operations is reduced or elliminated by contacting the cyanide-containing stream with oxygen and carbon dioxide in the presence of cupric ions. The oxygen may be provided by air or oxygen and the contacting is carried out at until the pH of the aqueous stream is reduced to a value in the range of about 6 to 8 and preferably 6.5 to 7.5. Cupric sulfate has been found to be particularly effective for the described reaction.