Potential of single and double-combined adsorbents in removing chromium from an industrial wastewater

Abstract

Nowadays, there is much attention in using low-cost methods for removing heavy metals’ pollution from wastewaters. In this research, the ability of different adsorbents including zeolite, peat, activated carbon, cationic resin and anionic resin (in single and double-combined forms) in decreasing Cr(III) and Cr(VI) concentration to below the legal limits from an industrial wastewater was investigated. The results showed that for single-adsorbent treatments, all adsorbents were more effective in reducing Cr(VI) concentration than Cr(III). The highest removal efficiency (Er=100%) was obtained by anionic resin. Presence of anionic resin in each double-adsorbent caused an improvement of chromium removal. Among the double-adsorbents treatments, combination of peat and activated carbon was the most proper treatment in removing chromium.

Keywords

• Heavy metals
• Chromium
• Adsorbent