CHROMIUM REMOVAL

INTRODUCTION:
Properties of Cr dependent on the
molecular structure ,particularly on the
oxidation state.
Exists in two primarily in two different
oxidation states, hexavalent (VI) and
trivalent (III).
The oxidation state has significant effect
on the transport and fate of Cr and on the
type and cost of treatment required to
reduce Cr concentrations less than
regulatory health-based standard.
Comparison of Cr (VI) with Cr
(III):
More mobile than Cr(III) and more
difficult to remove from water,
10 to 100 times toxic than Cr (III)
by acute or oral route, known as
carcinogenic,
The most common forms of Cr(VI)
are Chromate( Cr2O42-) and
hydrogen chromate (HCrO4-) also
called bichromate.
Importance of removal:
Human carcinogen via inhalation,
Toxic,
A yellow color is impart to the
water at about 1 mg/l.
Ground water should contain Cr
below10 µg/l.
According to BIS : 0.05 µg/l.
Treatment technologies:
Reduction of toxicity: decreasing
toxicity of Cr (VI) by
reducing Cr (VI) to Cr (III).
Destruction and Removal: to
decrease total Cr concentrations,
Containment: preventing spread
of contamination into larger
areas.
Toxicity Reduction Methods:
Treatment system based on the
Cr(IV) reduction can be:
1. Chemical Reduction,
2. Microbial Reduction,
3. Phytoremediation.
1. Chemical reduction:
Reduction with an electron donor
such as S, Fe(II) or Fe(0). The
newly formed Cr(III) then
precipitates out of solution.
Achieves both in reduction in Cr
toxicity and removal of Cr from
aqueous solutions,
Includes naturally occurring
reduction by soil oxides and
natural organic material.
2. Microbial Reduction:
Microorganisms are capable of
reducing Cr(IV) to Cr(III) include
bacteria, algae, fungi and yeast.
The process is same as chemical
reduction, but is biologically
mediated nd is thus kinetically
advantageous to non biological
reactions,
3. Phytoremediation:
Plants contain the Cr by
converting it to the less mobile
Cr(III) (phytostabilization) and
simultaneously reduce its toxicity.
It can be a removal technology, if
Cr is sequestered in plant tissue
and the plants are harvested.
Removal Technologies:
Mainly to types of technologies:
I. Ex-Situ Technologies:
(capture and remove total Cr from waste
soils, sludges, sediments, and liquids)
1. Ion Exchange,
2.Granular Activated Carbon,
3. Adsorbent,
4. Member Filtration,
5. Soil washing and Separation
technologies,
1. Ion- Exchange;
As water flows through resin
column, dissolved Cr(VI) ions bind
to the resin and dispalces the
previously bound ions (usually CL-
or OH- ).
The resins used sre typically
either a naturally occuring
inorganic zeolite or synthetic
weak base or strong base anion
exchanger resin,

2. Granular Activated
Carbon:
Well established technology for removing
organics from water supplies and has
been demonstrated to remove heavy
metals as well,
GAC has an highly extremely high
internal area, on the order of 1000 m2 /g,
Cr (III) adsorbs weakly to GAC,
By two different mechanisms:

1.electrostatic adsorption,
2. Reduction to Cr(III).
3. Adsorbent:
Sorbents have been proposed for
removing Cr(IV) in order to save
money and /or recycle waste
material.
Materials ranged from used
automobile tires to seaweed,
Results have demonstrated that
removal can be equivalent or
superior to that of ion exchange
resins.
4. Membrane Filtration:
Semipermeable membrane filters are
used in water treatment to filter
soluble compound anions and catoins
from water including HCrO-4 and CrO-4.
The flux of water passe through the
membrane is proportional to the
pressure that is applied.
These includes microfiltration,
ultrafiltration, Nano-filtration and
reverse osmosis.
5.Soil Washing and Separation
Technologies:
Isa chemically or physically separated Cr-
contaminated soil from other soils prior to
disposal.
Physical separation based on the size or
technology can be performed using a
variety of screens, rotary scrubbers, grizzly
shakers and settling tanks,
Chemical treatment involves the addition of
an acid, oxidant, surfactant, or a chelating
agent to the soil slurry to increase the
amount of Cr in the aqueous phase.
II. In-Situ Technologies:
( removal of Cr in sub-surface,
pumping and excavation costs
are eliminated)
1. In-Situ Soil Flushing,
2. Electrokinetics,
3. Solvent Extraction.
1.In-situ Soil Flushing:
Is extraction of Cr from the
unsaturated zone using water or
another solvent, it involves
injection or infiltration of water
through the unsaturated zone,
which raises the water table into
the contaminated area, and then
extraction, followed by treatment
and injection of the water.
Soil flushing is analogous to soil
washing.
2. Electrokinetics:
Applies low concentarations
voltage (50 to150 V) across
contaminated soil in order to
mobilize Cr(VI) anions.
The Cr(VI) contaminants will
concentrate around the anode in
aqueous phase.
Less soluble Cr(III) may build up
near the cathode.
Containment
Technologies:
Involve the construction of Physical,
Chemical, or hydraulic barrier that isolate
impact zone, either directing impacted
water through a treatment zone or
stopping its migration.
1. Barrier Technologies,
a) Low-permeability Passive Physical
Barrier,
b) Permeable Chemical Barrier
2. Vitrification,
3. Solidification/Stabilization,
1. Barrier Technologies:
Physical barriers are constructed
of low permeability materials
such as grout, slurries, or sheet
piling.
 in some cases, a small amount
of leakage will likely to occur. for
this reason, chemical or hydraulic
barriers have been developed as
alternatives.
2. Vitrification:
Is accomplished by placing an
array of electrodes into the soil
and sending an electric current
through the soil until it melts,
sealing the metals in a glassy
mixture.
Resistance heating melts the soil.
3.
Solidification/Stabilization:
Refers to treatment that solidifies Cr
an immobile mixture with an additive,
such as current.
Stabilization also known as fixation,
refers to the formation of an insoluble
Cr compound.in addition, the
permeability of the area containing
the stabilized contamination lowered,
resulting in ground water flow around
the area rather than through it.