Destruction of cyanide and thiocyanate by ferrate [Iron(VI)] Academic Article

abstract

• A cyanide-laden effluent of the gold mining industry must be treated before it can be released to the aquatic environment. Current treatment methods such as natural degradation, sulfur based, hydrogen peroxide, ozonation, and alkaline chlorination are not adequate for meeting newer treatment standards. A new chemical oxidant that utilizes iron in the +6 oxidation state, ferrate [Fe(VI)] was studied to oxidize cyanides in gold mill wastewater. Reactions of cyanide and thiocyanate with Fe(VI) were analyzed to determine kinetic parameters, stoichiometry, and products. The complete removal of cyanide and thiocyanate can be achieved in seconds to minutes with the formation of less harmful products. Destruction of cyanide resulted in cyanate while sulfate and cyanate were the products of thiocyanate oxidation. Ferrate is therefore a suitable candidate as a new environmental friendly oxidant for gold mining wastewater.

authors

• Sharma, Virender

published proceedings

• European Journal of Mineral Processing and Environmental Protection

author list (cited authors)

• Sharma, V. K.

complete list of authors

• Sharma, VK

publication date

• 2003

published in

• European Journal of Mineral Processing and Environmental Protection  Journal

keywords

• Cyanide
• Ferrate
• Gold Mill Wastewater
• Iron(VI)
• Thiocyanate

start page

• 301

end page

• 308

volume

• 3

issue

• 3

URL

• http://www.ejmpep.com/sharma.htm