Removal of Hexavalent Chromium and Some Organic Compounds Using Two Combined Photo-Fenton and Electrochemical Techniques

Irma María García Giraldo, Henry Reyes Pineda, Jhon Alexander Rodríguez Espinosa, Manuel José Blanco Vanegas

Abstract

The tanning industries have been of great relevance in the economic sector of our country since the 17th century because they contribute to the export and manufacture of leather. From a socioeconomic standpoint, it is beneficial for society; however, this type of industry generates organic and inorganic pollutants that affect the effluents and the ecosystem of the sector. Therefore, advanced oxidation processes such as Fenton and photo-Fenton and electrochemical techniques were addressed in this research. For this, Fenton and photo-Fenton tests were carried out using samples of the effluents from the WWTP (wastewater treatment plant) of the tanneries and they were reacted with known concentrations of hydrogen peroxide and ferrous sulfate (Fenton Reagent) and in the case of photo-Fenton, additionally using an ultraviolet light lamp for 1 hour, obtaining 92.50% turbidity removal percentages, 100% color, 78% COD, and 66% TOC. In the case of electrochemical techniques, cyclic voltammetry, linear scanning voltammetry, and chronoamperometry techniques were used to remove the hexavalent chromium present in the wastewater. Solutions with concentrations within the range of real potassium dichromate wastewater in 0.5M H2SO4 solution were prepared using a graphite cloth as the working electrode, an Hg/HgSO4 reference electrode, and a graphite rod counter electrode, obtaining a 99.54% hexavalent chromium reduction using these techniques. Finally, it can be concluded that the advanced Fenton and photo-Fenton oxidation processes were very efficient in the removal of organic compounds present in the effluents of the tanneries. In addition, when combined with electrochemical techniques, the decontamination process is optimized because it reduces the production of heavy metals such as hexavalent chromium, which are dangerous to human health and the ecosystem. This research provided a great achievement from the academic, economic, and environmental viewpoints since these processes are economical and environmentally friendly.

 

Keywords: tanneries, Fenton, photo-Fenton, electrochemical techniques, hexavalent chromium.

 

https://doi.org/10.55463/issn.1674-2974.50.10.10

 


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