Waste foundry sand (WFS), which is a hazardous byproduct from the foundry industry, is often contaminated with potentially toxic elements (PTEs), such as Cu, Pb and Zn, and widely re-utilized as a construction material. Therefore, the depollution of WFS has been suggested due to its environment friendly reprocessing to avoid potential long-term hazardous impacts. In the current study, a unique chemically induced technique has been proposed for the removal of PTEs from WFS. EDTA, NaOH and NH 3 were used as extractants in combination or in succession. The optimum removal of PTEs was accomplished using a solid (WFS) to solution (50 mmol L-1 EDTA) ratio of 10 under strongly basic pH conditions, which was achieved with NaOH addition. The washing efficiency was further enhanced with the addition of NH 3 to the solution. The complete process cycle duration was adjusted to 9 h with a washing sequence that was repeated three times for 3 h each. The ultimate efficiencies (%) for the removal of PTEs were as follows: Cu, 98; Pb, 81; Sn, 83; and Zn, 50. The leaching of residual PTEs (%) from the decontaminated WFS was also in compliance with the regulatory levels that are defined by the monitoring authorities.
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