ABSTRACT

In this study, the remediation of Municipal Sewage Sludge by electrokinetic process, coupled with activated carbon as permeable reactive barrier, was investigated. In each experiment it was observed the removal of cadmium, lead, copper, chromium, nickel and zinc from the sludge. An electric field of 3 V cm−1 was applied and was used an adsorbent/sludge ratio of 30 g kg−1 for the preparation of the permeable reactive barrier. Results proved that that this process is perfectly suited for the removal of chromium, nickel and zinc metals from the sludge. In the end of the operation time it was achieved a maximum removal rate of 56% for chromium, 73% for nickel and 99% for zinc, with initial concentrations of 2790 mg kg−1, 2840 mg kg−1 and 94200 mg kg−1, respectively. Based in these results, the viability of the new coupling technology developed, to treat sewage sludges was demonstrated.