Inhibition of Nickel Precipitation by Gluconate. II: Kinetic Modeling

Abstract

Gluconate has been shown to inhibit nickel precipitation. This can result in adverse system performance when treating nickel plating wastewater. A kinetic model based on the formation of major species was developed to simulate nickel precipitation in the absence and presence of gluconate. The model was calibrated and verified against batch kinetic experimental results. The model simulated the studied nickel-gluconate systems well. However, no universal mechanisms could be adopted to explain all of the phenomena observed in the kinetic study, indicating different controlling mechanisms in each system. The results of this study can be used to evaluate optimum conditions for nickel precipitation and to aid in the design of treatment processes enhancing the optimization of nickel recovery from metal finishing wastewaters.