Efficient removal of Cr(VI) from contaminated kaolin and anolyte by electrokinetic remediation with foamed iron anode electrode and acetic acid electrolyte

Combined electrokinetic remediation employing reducing agents represents an extensively utilized approach for the remediation of hexavalent chromium (Cr(VI))-contaminated soil. In this investigation, electrokinetic remediation of artificially contaminated kaolin was conducted utilizing a separate circulation system for the anolyte, with a 0.5M solution of acetic acid (HAc) as the electrolyte and foamed iron serving as the anode. The experimental outcomes demonstrated that employing HAc as the electrolyte enhances the electromigration of Cr(VI) and establishes an acidic milieu conducive to the reduction of Cr(VI) by foamed iron, thereby facilitating the rapid reduction of Cr(VI) accumulated in the anolyte through electrokinetic remediation. In the self-prepared contaminated kaolin, the initial concentration of Cr(VI) was 820.26 mg/L. Following the remediation process under optimal experimental conditions, the concentration was significantly reduced to 11.6 mg/L, achieving a removal efficiency of Cr(VI) in the soil of 98.59%. In the optimal experimental setup, the Cr(VI) concentration in the anolyte was reduced to 0.05 mg/L, which is below the EPA's Safe Drinking Water Act standard for Cr(VI) content of 0.1 mg/L. The removal mechanism of Cr(VI) from the electrolyte primarily involves reduction, precipitation, and co-precipitation, with the foamed iron playing a predominant role. HAc and foamed iron exhibit a synergistic effect. The findings of this study substantiate that the integration of foamed iron with HAc is efficacious for the electrokinetic remediation of soil contaminated with Cr(VI).