Removal of tungsten oxyanions from industrial wastewater by precipitation, coagulation and flocculation processes.

Tungsten removal from industrial wastewater by precipitation, coagulation and flocculation processes using ferric chloride is reported. Suitable process conditions (pH, ferric chloride concentration) were established in jar tests performed with wastewater samples. Alkaline wastewater was treated with ferric chloride and pH was adjusted to various points using sulphuric acid. Tungsten removal was found to be most efficient (98-99%) in acidic conditions (pH<6). The process conditions were also found to be suitable for operation of an industrial scale wastewater treatment facility. More than 97% of tungsten were removed and the residual concentration was smaller than 10 ppm.