Characterization of zero valent iron prepared from by-product of pickling line and its decomposition reaction activity

• Published in: The Korean journal of chemical engineering 2009, 26(6), 123, pp.1795-1799
• Main Authors: Kim, Byung Hoon, Park, Chol, Kim, Yu-Bong, Jung, Dong-Suk, Cho, Hyoung-Chan, Park, Sung Hoon, Ra, Deog-Gwan, Lee, Do-Jin, Jung, Sang-Chul
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Biotechnology; Catalysis; Chemistry; Chemistry and Materials Science; Industrial Chemistry/Chemical Engineering; Materials; Materials Science; 화학공학
• ISSN: 0256-1115; 1975-7220
• DOI: 10.1007/s11814-009-0331-3

Zero valent iron (ZVI) was produced by using wasted acid and iron oxide that are by-products of a pickling line at a steel work. The reaction activity of the produced ZVI was evaluated through decomposition experiments of Orange II aqueous solution. The ZVI particles produced directly from wasted acid (A-ZVI) were not easy to handle because they were very small (10-200 nm) and were easily oxidized in the air. The size of ZVI particles produced from the iron oxide recovered from the regeneration process of wasted acid (O-ZVI) increased with reduction temperature due to coalescence. Correspondingly, the specific surface area of O-ZVI decreased with increasing reduction temperature. The decomposition efficiency of synthesized ZVI particles was higher at a lower pH. In particular, no significant decomposition reaction was observed at pH of 4 or higher with O-ZVI. The decomposition efficiency of A-ZVI was higher than that of O-ZVI or commercially purchased ZVI, but it is not easy to handle. On the other hand, O-ZVI is easier to handle, but has the drawback of low reaction activity at high pH. Further elaboration is required for practical applications of these synthesized ZVIs.