The Crystallization Behavior and Stability of Chromite Synthesized in Chromium-Containing Wastewater at Room Temperature

The ferrite process can not only purify wastewater containing heavy metal ions but also recycle valuable metals from wastewater. Therefore, it is considered a promising technology to treat chromiumcontaining wastewater. However, the process has not been extensively applied in industry due to its high synthesis temperature. In this paper, the feasibility of chromite synthesis at room temperature was comprehensively studied. The effects of critical factors on the effluent quality and the crystallization behavior and stability of the synthetic products were investigated. Results showed that the removal ratio of chromium from wastewater was over 99.0%, and the chromium concentration in the supernatant reached the sewage discharge standard after undergoing the ferrite process at room temperature. Increases in the aeration rate, stirring rate, and reaction time were favorable for the formation of stable chromite. The particles obtained by the ferrite process at room temperature were characterized by a compact structure, and the maximum size of the particles reached 52 μm. Chromium gradually entered the spinel crystal structure during the synthesis process, and the molecular formula of the synthetic chromite might be Fe3-xCrxO4, in which x was approximately 0.30. The path of the microscopic reaction was proposed to illuminate the synthesis mechanism of chromite under room temperature conditions. The present study has laid the foundation for the industrial application of the ferrite process in the purification and utilization of chromium-containing wastewater.