The goal of this research was to evaluate, for the first time, pilot-scale treatment technologies for
Cr(VI) removal to less than 5 µg/L (i.e. 95% removal). A major focus was to evaluate
manufacturer-provided pilot systems with media that was effective in bench-scale studies, or
technologies that were promising but could not be appropriately tested at the bench scale.
Technologies tested included ion exchange systems (i.e. column strong- and weak-base anion
exchange, and reactor-based strong-base anion exchange), a reduction/filtration unit using sodium
sulfite, and proprietary adsorptive media systems (zeolite and Granular Activated Carbon, or GAC).
In vendor-independent tests, reduction with ferrous sulfate, coagulation, and filtration was also
tested. Regeneration efficiency was also determined for the best-performing strong-base anion
exchange resin, including the impact of recycling brine to minimize residuals. Technologies able to
consistently treat to levels below 5 µg/L included column strong-base anion exchange, weak-base
anion exchange, and reduction/coagulation/filtration using ferrous sulfate. Includes 19 references, tables, figures.