Catalytic Hydrogenation of Aqueous Phase Nitrate Over Fe/C Catalysts

Abstract Catalytic hydrogenation of nitrate in water has been carried out over Fe/C catalysts at ambient temperature using batch and continuous reactors. In batch reaction nitrate reduction activity of 2.9 mmol g-metal1 min-1 with nearly 100% selectivity towards nitrogen was obtained. Column study shows nitrate reduction below 5 ppm for an initial concentration of 100 ppm. Break through capacity, to reach concentration of 45 mg L-1, is more than 530 bed volumes. The catalysts were characterized using XRD, SEM–EDAX and XPS. With high selectivity and activity the catalytic system in present study could be a potential option for nitrate removal from water. Keywords Catalytic hydrogenation _ Fe/C catalyst _ Water treatment _ Nitrat