Removal and recovery of Cr(VI) from polluted ground waters: A comparative study of ion-exchange technologies

The focus of this work has been the study of Cr(VI) removal from ground waters and the simultaneous concentration for its reuse using three different technological alternatives: anion-exchange resins, liquid–liquid extraction assisted by hollow fibre membranes and emulsion pertraction. The viability of the considered objectives, i.e., Cr(VI) separation (<0.5 g/m3) and concentration for reuse (>20,000 g/m3) has been checked and a comparative analysis of the three technologies has been performed. Although the flexibility and ease of operation of non-dispersive solvent extraction, anion-exchange resins and emulsion pertraction lead to higher velocities of chromium removal, yet still maintaining similar concentration efficiencies.