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Immobilization of Chromium in Tannery Sludge Using Iron-Based Nanoparticles and Nanobiocomposites

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Abstract

This paper presents the efficacy of zero-valent iron nanoparticles (ZVINs), magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles (MINs), zero-valent iron nanoparticles/sugarcane bagasse (ZVIN-SB) composite and magnetic iron oxide nanoparticles/sugarcane bagasse (MIN-SB) composite in immobilizing chromium present in tannery sludge. The optimized values for the immobilization of chromium by the adsorbents were found to be 48 h, 100 g/kg and 7, respectively, for time, adsorbent dosage and pH. The maximum uptake capacity was found to be 429.75, 539.25, 587.25 and 625.8 mg/kg, respectively, for ZVIN, MIN, ZVIN-SB and MIN-SB. The desorption study of the unamended sludge and sludge amended by ZVIN, MIN, ZVIN-SB and MIN-SB was carried out with three different desorbing media (0.1 N HCL, DIW and 0.1 N NaOH). It was found that the cumulative concentration of leachate chromium was more in basic condition than in neutral and acidic conditions. In column studies, the concentration of leachate chromium attained 0 mg/L at 24, 15, 18 and 14 pore volumes, respectively, for the sludge amended by ZVIN, MIN, ZVIN-SB and MIN-SB. The experimental adsorption data fitted well with pseudo-first-order kinetics. The zero-order kinetics accurately predicted the experimental desorption capacity (q e) of the sludge amended by ZVIN, MIN, ZVIN-SB and MIN-SB. The Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis showed that the amine, carboxyl, iron compounds, etc. present in the adsorbents were the chief causes for the immobilization of chromium. The X-ray diffraction (XRD) analysis of the sludge showed the presence of trivalent chromium compounds at a higher concentration.

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Abbreviations

q t :

Amount of contaminant adsorbed/desorbed from sludge at time (min) (mg/kg)

C 0 :

Initial concentration of the chromium (mg/L)

C e :

Final concentration of the chromium (mg/L)

V :

Volume of the solution (L)

M :

Mass of the adsorbent (kg)

C t (mg/L):

Concentration of the contaminant in the liquid at varying contact time

W :

Weight of the sludge (kg)

R 2 :

Correlation coefficient

q e :

Experimental uptake capacity/desorption capacity (mg/kg)

q e,cal :

Calculated uptake capacity/desorption capacity (mg/kg)

k 1 :

First-order kinetic rate constant (1/min)

h :

Initial adsorption rate (mg/kg/min)

t 1/2 :

Half-life time (min)

k 2 :

Rate constant of pseudo-second-order equation (kg/mg/min)

α :

Elovich kinetic constant initial adsorption rate (mg/kg/min)

β :

Elovich kinetic desorption constant (kg/mg)

k :

Rate constant of the power function (mg/kg/min)

kv:

Power kinetic specific adsorption rate at unit time (mg/kg/min)

k 0 :

Zero-order rate constant (mg/kg/min)

k p :

Parabolic diffusion rate constant (kg/g/min0.5)

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Acknowledgments

The authors are thankful to the VIT University, Vellore, for providing sufficient facilities to carry out this research work. The first author is thankful to the Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR), New Delhi, India, for providing financial assistance to her as a Senior Research Fellowship (SRF).

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  1. Environmental, Water Resources and Transportation Engineering Division, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014, India

    M. Arthy

  2. Department of Civil Engineering, School of Mechanical and Building Sciences, VIT University, Vellore, 632 014, India

    B. R. Phanikumar

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Arthy, M., Phanikumar, B.R. Immobilization of Chromium in Tannery Sludge Using Iron-Based Nanoparticles and Nanobiocomposites. Water Air Soil Pollut 226, 204 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-015-2466-7

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