Treatment of Hexavalent Chromium in Chromite Ore Processing Solid Waste Using a Mixed Reductant Solution of Ferrous Sulfate and Sodium Dithionite

Abstract

We investigated a method for delivering ferrous iron into the subsurface to enhance chemical reduction of Cr(VI) in chromite ore processing solid waste (COPSW) derived from the production of ferrochrome alloy. The COPSW is characterized by high pH (8.5-11.5) and high Cr(VI) concentrations in the solid phase (up to 550 mg kg(-1)) and dissolved phase (3-57 mg L(-1)). The dominant solid-phase minerals are forsterite (Mg2SiO4), brucite (Mg-(OH)2), and hydrocalumite [Ca4(Al, Fe)2(OH)12X x 6H2O), X = (OH)2(2-), SO4(2-), CrO4(2-)]. The method utilizes FeSO4 in combination with Na2S2O4 to inhibit oxidation and precipitation of the ferrous iron, thereby preventing well and formation clogging. Laboratory batch tests using a 0.05 M FeSO4 + 0.05 M Na2S2O4 solution indicated effective treatment of both dissolved and solid-phase Cr(VI). Contrary to treatments with FeSO4 and FeCl2 alone, the combination resulted in both complete removal of Cr(VI) from solution and sustained Fe(ll) concentrations in solution after a 24 h period. A field test involving injection of 5700 L of a 0.07 M FeSO4 + 0.07 M Na2S2O4 solution into a COPSW saturated zone (pH 11.5) indicated no well and formation clogging during injection. Examination of a core collected 0.46 m from the injection well following injection indicated effective treatment of the solid phase Cr(VI) based on analysis of water, phosphate solution, and high temperature alkaline extracts. The combined reductant solution also imparted a residual treatment capacity to the COPSW allowing for subsequent treatment of dissolved phase Cr(VI); however, dissemination of the iron in the highly alkaline environment appeared to be impeded by the inability to sufficiently lower the pH with distance from the injection well to avoid precipitation of Fe(OH)2 and likely also FeCO3. Injection of a 0.2 M FeSO4 + 0.2 M Na2S2O4 solution into another COPSW saturated zone (pH 9) indicated much more effective dissemination of the injected iron.