Effects of electromagnetic induction on migration and speciation of heavy metals in drying sewage sludge: Mechanistic insights

Novel and efficient drying method based on electromagnetic induction plate (EMI-P) heating was used to treat sewage sludge (SS). This work focused on the effects of EMI-P action on heavy metals (HMs) in dried SS. Surface functional groups, surface chemistry and microstructures of SS treated were investigated and compared to provide insights into the transformation mechanisms of HMs during EMI-P drying process. The results show that the EMI-P-dried SS showed undesirably total concentrations of Cd and Zn and leaching concentrations of HMs (Cr, Ni, Zn, Cd and As) exceeded the Chinese ground water standard (GB/T14848-2017). Ni, Zn, and As in the EMI-P-dried SS still exhibited high mobility, the leaching percent of Ni, Zn, and As (under 300 V and 500 V) can reach up to 28.56%/10.36%, 26.96%/26.61% and 30.64%/23.14%, respectively. Compared with conventional thermal drying, the EMI-P method can effectively reduce the eco-toxicity derived from HMs by 28.06% under 500 V condition. The stabilization effect of the EMI-P action can be attributed to the following: (1) EMI-P action promoted the generation of surface complexes with HMs, (2) HMs adsorption by silicate minerals was enhanced under high-frequency magnetic fields and (3) honeycomb structures of EMI-P dried SS with micropores provided abundant active sites to bond with HMs. (C) 2020 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.