Steel slags for enhanced removal of landfill leachate in a three-dimensional electrochemical oxidation system

In this study, a three-dimensional electrochemical oxidation system, with steel slags as particle electrodes, was applied to deal with landfill leachate. The characteristics of particle electrodes were investigated by scanning electron microscope (SEM), X-ray fluorescence spectroscopy (XRF) and X-ray diffraction (XRD) measurements. It was found that the steel slag exhibited rough and irregular surface and mainly consisted of SiO(2) (Quartz), which indicated the enhanced absorbed and electroconducted abilities. Subsequently, comparative degradation tests between two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) electrochemical oxidation systems were carried out and results indicated removal efficiencies of COD. Moreover, NH(4)(+)-N from landfill leachate in 3D system was greatly improved compared with that of 2D system. Besides, operating conditions were also optimized to interelectrode distance of 1 cm, current density of 20 mA·cm(−2), initial pH value of 4.4 and steel slag concentration of 0.30 g·mL(−1), all of which were determined to guarantee excellent landfill leachate removal efficiency. In addition, a possible removal mechanism for this system was proposed. The introduction of steel slag particle electrodes in three-dimensional electrochemical oxidation system implied the concept for “using waste to treat waste”, providing a workable way in pollutant elimination.