Process for the removal of selenium from aqueous systems
US4405464A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Aug 31, 1981 |
| Grant date | Sep 20, 1983 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Aug 31, 2001 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
- CPC primaryY10S210/912
- WIPO fieldEnvironmental technology
- WIPO sectorChemistry
Abstract
A process for reducing the concentration of selenium ions in the Se(VI) oxidation state in an aqueous solution. The aqueous solution is admixed with a quantity of metallic iron. The iron reduces the selenium ions from the Se(VI) oxidation state to a lower oxidation state and then dissolves in the aqueous solution. If the pH level of the aqueous solution is above about 2.3, the selenium ions are reduced to at least the Se(IV) oxidation state and the dissolved metallic iron hydrolyses to form an iron hydroxide that precipitates. The precipitated material is separated from the aqueous solution to provide a solution having a lower concentration of selenium ions. If the pH level of the aqueous solution is below about 2.3, no iron hydrolysis is observed to occur. At least a portion of the selenium in the Se(VI) oxidation state is believed to be reduced to the elemental state. The elemental selenium then is separated from the aqueous solution to provide a solution having a lower concentration of selenium ions.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.