Abstract
Electroplating manufacturing processes release industrial effluents that comprise severe levels of heavy metals into the environment. This study investigated the utilization of nanoparticles of zero-valent iron (nZVI) for the treatment of electroplating wastewater industry containing multiple heavy metal ions. In batch experiments using Cu2+ as a single solute, the optimum operating condition was pH 7.3, nZVI dosage 1.6 g/L, time 36 min, temperature 30 °C, and agitation speed 180 rpm, achieving almost 100% Cu2+ removal efficiency. The adsorption mechanisms were illustrated using scanning electron microscopy (SEM), energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX), and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectrometer. Moreover, continuous-feed experiments were performed to treat real electroplating wastewater industry via adsorption and sedimentation processes. The system attained removal efficiencies of 91.3% total suspended solids (TSS), 68.3% chemical oxygen demand (COD), 94.2% nitrogen (N), 98.5% phosphorus (P), 66.7% Cr6+, 91.5% Pb2+, 83.3% Ag+, 80.8% Cu2+, 17.4% Ni2+, 47.1% Mn2+, 54.6% Zn2+, 94.7% Fe3+, 100.0% Al3+, and 42.1% Co2+. The removal mechanisms included reduction of Men+ to Me(n-x)+/Me0 by the Fe0 core, adsorption to the oxide shell as Me(OH)x and Me-Fe-OOH, oxidation of Men+ to Me(n+z)+, specific surface bonding, and sequential steps of electron transfer and precipitation. The total cost, including amortized and operating expenses for scaling up the adsorption system, was 4.45$ per m3 of electroplating wastewater.
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This research was supported by the Egyptian Housing and Building National Research Center (HBRC), Environmental Engineering Program, Zewail City of Science and Technology.
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Highlights
Zero-valent Fe nanoparticles were synthesized to treat electroplating wastewater
Total Cu2+ adsorption at pH 7.3, nZVI dosage 1.6 g/L, mixing 180 rpm, 36 min, and 30 °C
Real electroplating wastewater was continuously fed to adsorption/sedimentation units
Pollutants removal mechanisms were reduction, oxidation, complexation, and bonding
Total cost for scaling up adsorption system = 4.45$/m3 of electroplating wastewater
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Hamdy, A., Mostafa, M.K. & Nasr, M. Techno-economic estimation of electroplating wastewater treatment using zero-valent iron nanoparticles: batch optimization, continuous feed, and scaling up studies. Environ Sci Pollut Res 26, 25372–25385 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05850-3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11356-019-05850-3