Application of ferrate(VI) in the treatment of industrial wastes containing metal-complexed cyanides: A green treatment

Ferrate(VI) was employed for the oxidation of cyanide (CN) and simultaneous removal of copper or nickel in the mixed/complexed systems of CN-Cu, CN-Ni, or CN-Cu-Ni. The degradation of CN (1.00 mmol/L) and removal of Cu (0.095 mmol/L) were investigated as a function of Fe(VI) doses from 0.3–2.00 mmol/L at pH 10.0. It was found that Fe(VI) could readily oxidize CN and the reduction of Fe(VI) into Fe(III) might serve efficiently for the removal of free copper ions. The increase in Fe(VI) dose apparently favoured the CN oxidation as well as Cu removal. Moreover, the pH dependence study (pH 10.0–13.0) revealed that the oxidation of CN was almost unaffected in the studied pH range (10.0–13.0), however, the maximum removal efficiency of Cu was obtained at pH 13.0. Similarly, treatment was carried out for CN-Ni system having the initial Ni concentration of 0.170 mmol/L and CN concentration of 1.00 mmol with Fe(VI) dose 2.00 mmol at various pH values (10.0–12.0). Results showed a partial oxidation of CN and partial removal of Ni. It can be observed that Fe(VI) can partially degrade the CN-Ni complex in this pH range. Further, Fe(VI) was applied for the treatment of simulated industrial waste/effluent waters treatment containing CN, Cu, and Ni.