Skip to main content
SpringerLink
Log in

Limitations of the Removal of Cyanide from Coking Wastewater by Treatment with Hydrogen Peroxide

  • Published:
Water, Air, & Soil Pollution Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

This research work evaluates the use of hydrogen peroxide for the removal of cyanide from coking wastewater deriving from the washing of gases in coal combustion furnace. The effect of the presence or absence of suspended solids and organic micropollutants on the efficiency of the treatment is analyzed. Various dosages of hydrogen peroxide (6.5–200 mg/L) were added to both aqueous solution (at pH 10.5) and industrial wastewater (at pH 10.3) samples. The influence of suspended solids in coking wastewater was analyzed by applying a coagulation–flocculation–decantation process before the hydrogen peroxide treatment. The preliminary cyanide removal treatment in aqueous solution showed that the maximum cyanide removal did not exceed 14 % using a mass ratio of hydrogen peroxide to cyanide of 11.6. The maximum cyanide removal obtained in coking wastewater was 47 % with a mass ratio of hydrogen peroxide to cyanide of 12.2 provided that a coagulation–flocculation–decantation pretreatment was applied to remove the suspended solids composed mainly of coal, calcium carbonate, and magnesium carbonate. On the other hand, the cyanide removal treatment in coking wastewater with hydrogen peroxide showed promising results in the removing of different organic micropollutants formed mainly by polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and quinolines.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Fig. 1
Fig. 2
Fig. 3
Fig. 4

Similar content being viewed by others

References

  • Boening, D. W., & Chew, C. M. (1999). A critical review: general toxicity and environmental fate of three aqueous cyanide ions and associated ligands. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 109(1), 67–79.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Centi, G., Pinelli, D., & Trifiro, F. (1989). Heterogeneous catalytic ammoxidation of o-xylene to phthalimide: analysis of the reaction network. Gazzetta Chimica Italiana, 119, 133–137.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chang, E. E., Hsing, H. J., Chiang, P. C., Chen, M. Y., & Shyng, J. Y. (2008). The chemical and biological characteristics of coke-oven wastewater by ozonation. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 156(1–3), 560–567.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Chen, F., Zhao, X., Liu, H., & Qu, J. (2014). Reaction of Cu(CN)3 2− with H2O2 in water under alkaline conditions: cyanide oxidation, Cu+/Cu2+ catalysis and H2O2 decomposition. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 158–159, 85–90.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Chu, L., Wang, J., Dong, J., Liu, H., & Sun, X. (2012). Treatment of coking wastewater by an advanced Fenton oxidation process using iron powder and hydrogen peroxide. Chemosphere, 86(4), 409–414.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Dash, R. R., Gaur, A., & Balomajumder, C. (2009). Cyanide in industrial wastewaters and its removal: a review on biotreatment. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 163(1), 1–11.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Directive 2010/75/EU of 24 of November of 2010 laid down industrial emissions (integrated pollution prevention and control). Official Journal of the European Union L 334:17 of December of 2010.

  • Eaton, A. D., Clesceri, L. S., Rice, E. W., Greenberg, A. E., & Franson, M. A. H. (2005). Standard methods for the examination of water and wastewater. Washington: American Public Health Association.

    Google Scholar 

  • Eisler, R. (2000). Handbook of chemical risk assessment: health hazards to humans, plants and animals. Boca Raton: Lewis Publishers.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • EPA Method 625 (1984). Methods for organic chemical analysis of municipal and industrial wastewater–base/neutrals and acids.

  • Esplugas, S., Gimenez, J., Contreras, S., Pascual, E., & Rodriguez, M. (2002). Comparison of different advanced oxidation processes for phenol degradation. Water Research, 36(4), 1034–1042.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Georgi, A., & Kopinke, F. (2005). Interaction of adsorption and catalytic reactions in water decontamination processes Part I. Oxidation of organic contaminants with hydrogen peroxide catalyzed by activated carbon. Applied Catalysis B: Environmental, 58(1–2), 9–18.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Gottschalk, C., Libra, J. A., & Saupe, A. (2000). Ozonation of water and waste water: a practical guide to understanding ozone and its applications. Germany: Wiley-VCH.

    Book  Google Scholar 

  • Griffiths, S. R., Donato, D. B., Coulson, G., & Lumsden, L. F. (2014). High levels of activity of bats at gold mining water bodies: implications for compliance with the International Cyanide Management Code. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 21(12), 7263–7275.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Hartinger, L. (1994). Handbook of effluent treatment and recycling for the metal finishing industry. Warrington: Finishing Publications.

    Google Scholar 

  • Huang, H., Lu, M., Chen, J., & Lee, C. (2003). Catalytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide and 4-chlorophenol in the presence of modified activated carbons. Chemosphere, 51(9), 935–943.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Jin, X., Li, E., Lu, S., Qiu, Z., & Sui, Q. (2013). Coking wastewater treatment for industrial reuse purpose: combining biological processes with ultrafiltration, nanofiltration and reverse osmosis. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 25(8), 1565–1574.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kepa, U., Stanczyk-Mazanek, E., & Stepniak, L. (2008). The use of the advanced oxidation process in the ozone + hydrogen peroxide system for the removal of cyanide from water. Desalination, 223(1–3), 187–193.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Khorramfar, S., Mahmoodi, N., Arami, M., & Bahrami, H. (2011). Oxidation of dyes from colored wastewater using activated carbon/hydrogen peroxide. Desalination, 279(1–3), 183–189.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kim, Y. J., Qureshi, T. I., & Min, K. S. (2003). Application of advanced oxidation processes for the treatment of cyanide containing effluent. Environmental Technology, 24(10), 1269–1276.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kitis, M., Akcil, A., Karakaya, E., & Yigit, N. O. (2005a). Destruction of cyanide by hydrogen peroxide in tailings slurries from low bearing sulphidic gold ores. Minerals Engineering, 18(3), 353–362.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kitis, M., Karakaya, E., Yigit, N. O., Civelekoglu, G., & Akcil, A. (2005b). Heterogeneous catalytic degradation of cyanide using copper-impregnated pumice and hydrogen peroxide. Water Research, 39(8), 1652–1662.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kjeldsen, P. (1999). Behaviour of cyanides in soil and groundwater: a review. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 115(1), 279–307.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Knorre, H., & Griffiths, A. (1984). Cyanide detoxification with hydrogen peroxide using the Degussa process. Tucson: Proceedings of the Cyanide and the Environment Conference.

    Google Scholar 

  • Ku, Y., Tu, Y. H., & Ma, C. M. (2005). Effect of hydrogen peroxide on the decomposition of monochlorophenols by sonolysis in aqueous solution. Water Research, 39(6), 1093–1098.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Kuyucak, N., & Akcil, A. (2013). Cyanide and removal options from effluents in gold mining and metallurgical processes. Minerals Engineering, 50–51, 13–29.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Lee, T., Kwon, Y., & Kim, D. (2004). Oxidative treatment of cyanide in wastewater using hydrogen peroxide and homogeneous catalyst. Journal of Environmental Science and Health, Part A: Toxic/Hazardous Substances and Environmental Engineering, 39(3), 787–801.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Liao, C. H., & Gurol, M. D. (1995). Chemical oxidation by photolytic decomposition of hydrogen peroxide. Environmental Science and Technology, 29(12), 3007–3014.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Marañón, E., Vázquez, I., Rodríguez, J., Castrillón, L., & Fernández, Y. (2008). Coke wastewater treatment by a three-step activated sludge system. Water, Air, and Soil Pollution, 192(1), 155–164.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Monteagudo, J. M., Rodríguez, L., & Villaseñor, J. (2004). Advanced oxidation processes for destruction of cyanide from thermoelectric power station waste waters. Journal of Chemical Technology and Biotechnology, 79(2), 117–125.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Mudder, T., Botz, M., & Smith, A. (2001). Chemistry and treatment of cyanidation wastes. London: Mining Journal Books Ltd.

    Google Scholar 

  • Mudliar, R., Umare, S. S., Ramteke, D. S., & Wate, S. R. (2009). Energy efficient—advanced oxidation process for treatment of cyanide containing automobile industry wastewater. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 164(2–3), 1474–1479.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nekrasov, L. N., Peregudova, S. M., Yur’eva, L. P., Kravtsov, D. N., Uralets, I. A., & Zaitseva, N. N. (1989). Study of redox reactions of bis(arene)chromium complexes by use of the rotating disk and the rotating ring-disk electrodes: V. Cathodic processes involving nitriles; cyano derivatives of benzene and dibenzenechromium. Journal of Organometallic Chemistry, 365(3), 269–284.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Nelieu, S., Kerhoas, L., & Einhorn, J. (2000). Degradation of atrazine into ammeline by combined ozone/hydrogen peroxide treatment in water. Environmental Science and Technology, 34(3), 430–437.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Pak, D., & Chang, W. (1997). Oxidation of aqueous cyanide solution using hydrogen peroxide in the presence of heterogeneous catalyst. Environmental Technology, 18(5), 557–561.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Park, D., Kim, Y. M., Lee, D. S., & Park, J. M. (2008). Chemical treatment for treating cyanides-containing effluent from biological cokes wastewater treatment process. Chemical Engineering Journal, 143(1–3), 141–146.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Royal Decree 817/2015 of 11 of September of 2015, laid down the criteria for monitoring and evaluating the status of continental surface waters and the Environmental Quality Standards. Bulletin Official of State, 219 (I), 12.

  • Sarla, M., Pandit, M., Tyagi, D. K., & Kapoor, J. C. (2004). Oxidation of cyanide in aqueous solution by chemical and photochemical process. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 116(1–2), 49–56.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Van-Leeuwen, J., Badriyha, B., & Vaczi, S. (2003). Investigation into ozonation of coal coking processing wastewater for cyanide, thiocyanate and organic removal. Ozone Science and Engineering, 25(4), 273–283.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Wei, X., Zhang, Z., Fan, Q., Yuan, X., & Guo, D. (2012). The effect of treatment stages on the coking wastewater hazardous compounds and their toxicity. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 239–240, 135–141.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wild, S. R., Rudd, T., & Neller, A. (1994). Fate and effects of cyanide during wastewater treatment processes. Science of the Total Environment, 56(2), 93–107.

    Article  Google Scholar 

  • Wu, Z., & Zhu, L. (2012). Removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons and phenols from coking wastewater by simultaneously synthesized organobentonite in a one-step process. Journal of Environmental Sciences, 24(2), 248–253.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Xu, S., & Ning, P. (2002). Analysis of organic pollutants from the wastewater of coking plant by GC/MS. Yunnan Chemical Technology, 29(5), 32–34.

    CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yan, F., Guo, C., Zhang, X., & Yuan, G. (2012). Hydrogen peroxide as a crystal growth modifier of CaCO3. CrystEngComm, 14(6), 2046–2052.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yazici, E.Y., Deveci, H., Alp, Í., Uslu, T., & Celep, O. (2006). Factors affecting decomposition of cyanide by hydrogen peroxide. Proceedings of the 23rd International Mineral Processing Congress, Istanbul.

  • Yazici, E. Y., Deveci, H., & Alp, Í. (2009). Treatment of cyanide effluents by oxidation and adsorption in batch and column studies. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 166(2–3), 1362–1366.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yeddou, A. R., Nadjemi, B., Halet, F., Ould-Dris, A., & Capart, R. (2010). Removal of cyanide in aqueous solution by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in presence of activated carbon prepared from olive stones. Minerals Engineering, 23(1), 32–39.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Yeddou, A. R., Nadjemi, B., Halet, F., Ould-Dris, A., & Belkouch, J. (2011). Removal of cyanide in aqueous solution by oxidation with hydrogen peroxide in presence of copper-impregnated carbon. Minerals Engineering, 24(8), 788–793.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Young, C.A., & Jordan, T.S. (1995). Cyanide remediation: current and past technologies. Proceedings of the 10th Annual Conference on Hazardous Waste Research, Kansas.

  • Zhang, W., Liu, W., Lv, Y., Li, B., & Ying, W. (2010). Enhanced carbon adsorption treatment for removing cyanide from coking plant effluent. Journal of Hazardous Materials, 184(1–3), 135–140.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, W., Wei, C., Chai, X., He, J., Cai, Y., Ren, M., Yan, B., Peng, P., & Fu, J. (2012). The behaviors and fate of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) in a coking wastewater treatment plant. Chemosphere, 88(2), 174–182.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

  • Zhang, W., Wei, C., Yan, B., Feng, C., Zhao, G., Lin, C., Yuan, M., Wu, C., Ren, Y., & Hu, Y. (2013). Identification and removal of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons in wastewater treatment processes from coke production plants. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 20(9), 6418–6432.

    Article  CAS  Google Scholar 

Download references

Acknowledgments

This work was funded by the DGA-FSE Research Team T33 and the University of Zaragoza (Project JIUZ2014-TEC-11).

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Chemical Engineering and Environmental Technologies, University of Zaragoza, C/María de Luna 3, 50018, Zaragoza, Spain

    N. Pueyo, J. Rodríguez-Chueca, J. L. Ovelleiro & M. P. Ormad

  2. Department of Chemical and Environmental Technology (ESCET), University of Rey Juan Carlos, C/ Tulipán s/n, 28933, Móstoles (Madrid), Spain

    J. Rodríguez-Chueca

Authors
  1. N. Pueyo
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  2. J. Rodríguez-Chueca
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  3. J. L. Ovelleiro
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

  4. M. P. Ormad
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to N. Pueyo.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Check for updates. Verify currency and authenticity via CrossMark

Cite this article

Pueyo, N., Rodríguez-Chueca, J., Ovelleiro, J.L. et al. Limitations of the Removal of Cyanide from Coking Wastewater by Treatment with Hydrogen Peroxide. Water Air Soil Pollut 227, 222 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2915-y

Download citation

  • Received:

  • Accepted:

  • Published:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11270-016-2915-y

Keywords

Search

Navigation