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Published on: June 28, 2019
Removal of selenocyanate from water using elemental iron
Xiaoguang Meng1, Sunbaek Bang, George P Korfiatis
1Center for Environmental Engineering, Stevens Institute of Technology, Hoboken, NJ 08904, USA. xmeng@stevens-tech.edu
Abstract:
Batch experiments were conducted to investigate the removal of selenocyanate (SeCN-) from oil refinery wastewater and artificial wastewater with elemental iron [Fe(0)]. The chemical forms of selenium in the reacted solids were determined with X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) and a sulfite extraction procedure. SeCN- was effectively removed from the wastewater with Fe(0) filings when the water pH was controlled at approximately 6. SeCN- was removed by Fe(0) through the formation of elemental selenium [Se(0)] and ferrous selenide. The possible chemical reactions between SeCN- and Fe(0) included deselenation of SeCN- and electrochemical reduction of Se(0) to selenide. A cost-effective process may be developed for the treatment of SeCN- in wastewater using Fe(0).
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