Recovery of Chromium By Incineration

Ellen Jun Liu Brittany Tate Alexa Scribner

Overview
Chemistry, toxicity and exposure pathway of Chromium Site condition/Sampling Technology of Incineration Recovery of Chromium Salts Expected results (estimated impact and costs) References

Uses of Chromium
Production of extremely hard steel alloys Important component in stainless steel Anti-corrosion properties
Used to electroplate other metals

Magnetic tapes for sound/video recording Cr(III) is used in stained glass and as a catalyst in the chemistry industry

Chemistry and Toxicity of Cr

en.wikipedia.org

Solid, strongly acidic

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Trivalent chromium Cr(III) Hexavalent chromium Cr(VI)

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en.wikipedia.org

en.wikipedia.org

Chemistry, toxicity and behavior (cont)

Cr(III)
Essential to normal glucose, protein, and fat metabolism

Cr(VI)
released as a result of industrial processes - Wood preservation, hard and soft chrome plating, pigment manufacture, etc widely used as a corrosion inhibitor in wastewater systems

Known-human carcinogen Heavily regulated

Exposure Pathways
Inhalation
Cr(VI) is reduced to Cr(III) in the lower respiratory tract Worse in smokers than non-smokers

Skin (Dermal)
Absorption of Cr(VI) compounds can occur through intact skin Poor absorption of Cr(III) compounds through skin

Exposure affects:
Skin irritation, holes in nostrils, lung cancer

Site Description
Location: Deer Park, Harris County, Texas Dredging Source: Houston Ship Channel (non-point source) Soil: loamy, siliceous, active and thermic Depth: 10 yard, length: 120 yard Current volume ~ 20,000 lbs Protective layer and clay line were installed

Site model
120 yards Well Well

Clay Liner

10 yards

Sampling
Primary chemical: chromium III and chromium VI salts Concentration: 6.31 mg/L Current concentration exceeds TCLP (Toxicity Characteristic Leaching Procedure) regulatory level: 5 mg/L

Method of removal: Incineration

Incineration of Chromium Waste

Incinerate sludge into ashes Reduce Cr IV to Cr III by reducing gas Cooling the result before discharging to the outside Remove gas from combustion zone (to go into further oxidation) and remove ash from furnace

Incineration of Chromium Waste

Ideal temperature range: 800-1200F Combustion at low temperatures avoids harmful evolution of Cr VI Generally burns one ton per day SET Environmental Inc.

Estimated Cost of Incineration

Cost/hour(/pound) Incineration fee Transportation Company charge $0.7/lb $85/hr (25%) $21/hr Final cost $14,000 $425 $105

State waste fee

Overall cost

$50

$50
~$15,000

Process for reclaiming chromium from chromium ash

Steps
Mix with sulfuric acid to build an acidic environment Add reducing agent to convert Cr VI to Cr III Filter and wash with water Recycle

Resource recovery from incineration ashes

An efficient technique which enables recycling of almost all of the chromium in sludge waste
Produces an appropriate chrome tanning liquor Produces an inert residue Produces an wastewater treatment flocculating agent

Estimated Result
Sludge dredged from the Houston Ship Channel are completely removed from the temporary dump site to an incinerator Incineration products are re-roasted to be recycled Estimated overall expense: $15,000

References
ATSDR. Chromium Toxicity. Web. http://www.atsdr.cdc.gov/csem/csem.asp?csem=10&po=6. 4/28/2013. Cartier JE. Patent No. 0038106 A1. Oct 21, 1981/ Doc Browns Chemistry. 10.6 Chromium Chemistry. Web. http://www.docbrown.info/page07/transition04Cr.htm. 4/28/2013 EPA. Chromium Compounds. Web. http://www.epa.gov/ttnatw01/hlthef/chromium.html. 4/28/2013. EPA. Hazardous Waste Identification. Web. http://www.epa.gov/osw/inforesources/pubs/orientat/rom31.pdf. 4/27/2013. Jones BH. Chromium Recovery Through Incineration of Liquid and Solid Tannery Wastes The Ultimate Solution. JALCA. 1979. 74. 395-403. Texas A&M University. Poultry Incinerator. Web. http://tammi.tamu.edu/Poultry-Incinerator-07-08.pdf Rubin J. Sludge Disposal In South Paris, Maine. Environmental Impact Assessment Review. 1981. 2.4.368-377 Yamada S. Method for incineration of a sludge containing chromium substance and apparatus thereof. US Patent No. 3968756 A. 4/29/2013

Dump Site