Use of Nanoscale Zero-Valent Iron (NZVI) Particles for Chemical Denitrification under Different Operating Conditions

The nitrate pollution of waters and groundwaters is an important environmental and health concern. An interesting method to remove the oxidized forms of nitrogen from waters and wastewaters is chemical denitrification by means of metallic iron (Fe0). Particularly advantageous is the use of nanoscopic zero-valent iron particles due to the elevated surface area, which allows reaching extremely high reaction rates. In the present paper, the efficiency of nitrate reduction by means of nanoscopic Fe0 has been investigated under several operating conditions. The iron nanoparticles were synthesized by the chemical reduction of ferric ions with sodium borohydride. The effects of Fe0 dosage, initial N–NO3− concentration and pH on chemical denitrification were identified. In particular, the results of the tests carried out showed that it is possible to reach an almost complete nitrate reduction in treating solutions with a nitrate nitrogen concentration higher than 50 mg/L. Moreover, the process performance was satisfactory also under uncontrolled pH. By means of the trends detected during the experiments, the kinetic-type reaction was identified. Furthermore, a relation between the kinetic constant and the process parameters was defined.