This paper describes a batch-recycle galvanic reactor, operated in the flow-by configuration, for the removal of copper from dilute industrial effluents. A three-dimensional cathode, 80 ppi reticulated vitreous carbon, was used for this purpose. Mass transfer studies show that the average mass transfer coefficient was proportional to the Reynolds number, Re-f, where f = 0.68, which was independent of the concentration of reactant species under the experimental conditions. A comparison of the performance between a single-pass and a batch-recycle reactor was also conducted with an initial copper concentration of 10 mg l(-1), 100 mg l(-1) and 500 mg l(-1). A 500 ml feed of 74.2 mg l(-1) of copper in electroplating rinse water with a low conductivity of 1.2 mS cm(-1) was reduced to less than 1.0 mg l(-1) in 150 min at a flow rate of 500 ml min(-1).