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Optimization of draft tube position in a spouted bed reactor used for treatment of wastewater containing low concentration of heavy metals is investigated in this paper. Response surface methodology is used to optimize the draft tube height, the draft tube width and the gap between the bottom of the draft tube and the inlet nozzle. It is observed that the draft tube with a height of 60 millimeter, width of 12 millimeter and the gap of 13 millimeter between its bottom and inlet nozzle, results in optimum value of minimum spouting velocity, measured 45 cubic centimeter per second (2.7 Liter per minute).

Improvement of cadmium ion electrochemical removal from dilute aqueous solutions in a spouted bed reactor was investigated. Enlargement of cathode surface area from 1,000 to 1,500 cm 2 resulted in a decrease of nearly 30 % in both of the process time and the specific energy consumption. Application of a three-stage electrolysis process for a solution containing initial concentration of 270 ppm cadmium ion, resulted in the removal of 99.9 % cadmium ion in 135 min with the specific energy consumption of 2.29 kWh/kg, 23 % less than the value of a single-stage process. For a solution with cadmium ion initial concentration of 180 ppm, 99.9 % of cadmium ion was removed in 135.5 min by application of a two-stage electrolysis process, while the specific energy consumption was 2.82 kWh/kg, 30 % less than that of a single-stage process. For a solution with cadmium ion initial concentration of 90 ppm, 99.5 % of cadmium ion was removed in 100.2 min with the specific energy consumption of 3.78 kWh/kg in a single-stage electrolysis process.