Reduction of hexavalent chromium in aqueous medium with zerovalent iron

Hexavalent chromium, emanating primarily from the tannery and electroplating industries, can be reduced to the less toxic trivalent variety by several methods, including reduction with metallic iron. In the present work, electrolytic-grade iron dust was used to reduce chromium(VI) in the form of potassium dichromate. Loading of iron dust was varied from 0.5 to 1.0 g in 50 mL of solution; the pH of the medium was varied from 1.5 to 3.5; and the initial concentration of the dichromate solution was varied from 50 to 125 mg/L. Under the specified experimental conditions, maximum removal of the hexavalent chromium achieved was approximately 90% of its original value. The time-concentration data followed a pseudo-first-order kinetic model. The conversion and rate of reduction increased with an increase in iron loading and acidity of the medium, whereas an increase in the initial concentration of chromium(VI) caused a decrease in the reduction.