Chromium and zinc uptake by algae Gelidium and agar extraction algal waste: kinetics and equilibrium

Biosorption of chromium and zinc ions by an industrial algal waste, from agar extraction industry has been studied in a batch system. This biosorbent was compared with the algae Gelidium itself, which is the raw material for agar extraction, and the industrial waste immobilized with polyacrylonitrile (composite material). Langmuir and Langmuir-Freundlich equilibrium models describe well the equilibrium data. The parameters of Langmuir equilibrium model at pH 5.3 and 20 degrees C were for the algae, q(L)=18 mg Cr(III)g(-1) and 13 mgZn(II)g(-1), K(L) = 0.021l mg(-1)Cr(III) and 0.026l mg(-1) Zn(II); for the algal waste, q(L)=12 mgCr(III)g(-1) and 7mgZn(II)g(-1), K(L)=0.033lmg(-1) Cr(III) and 0.042l mg(-1) Zn(II); for the composite material, q(L) = 9 mgCr(III)g(-1) and 6 mgZn(II)g(-1), K(L)=0.032l mg(-1)Cr(III) and 0.034l mg(-1)Zn(II). The biosorbents exhibited a higher preference for Cr(III) ions and algae Gelidium is the best one. The pseudo-first-order Lagergren and pseudo-second-order models fitted well the kinetic data for the two metal ions. Kinetic constants and equilibrium uptake concentrations given by the pseudo-second-order model for an initial Cr(III) and Zn(II) concentration of approximately 100 mgl(-1), at pH 5.3 and 20 degrees C were k(2,ads)=0.04 g mg(-1)Cr(III)min(-1) and 0.07 g mg(-1)Zn(II)min(-1), q(eq)=11.9 mgCr(III)g(-1) and 9.5 mgZn(II)g(-1) for algae; k(2,ads)=0.17 g mg(-1)Cr(III)min(-1) and 0.19 g mg(-1)Zn(II)min(-1), q(eq)=8.3 mgCr(III)g(-1) and 5.6 mgZn(II)g(-1) for algal waste; k(2,ads)=0.01 g mg(-1)Cr(III)min(-1) and 0.18 g mg(-1)Zn(II)min(-1), q(eq)=8.0 mgCr(III)g(-1) and 4.4 mgZn(II)g(-1) for composite material. Biosorption was modelled using a batch adsorber mass transfer kinetic model, which successfully predicts Cr(III) and Zn(II) concentration profiles. The calculated average homogeneous diffusivities, D(h), were 4.2 x 10(-8), 8.3 x 10(-8) and 1.4 x 10(-8)cm(2)s(-1) for Cr(III) and 4.8 x 10(-8), 9.7 x 10(-8) and 6.2 x 10(-8)cm(2)s(-1) for Zn(II), respectively, for Gelidium, algal waste and composite material. The algal waste has the lower intraparticle resistance.     

Continuous biosorption of Pb/Cu and Pb/Cd in fixed-bed column using algae Gelidium and granulated agar extraction algal waste

Continuous metal ions biosorption from Pb/Cu and Pb/Cd solutions onto seaweed Gelidium sesquipedale and a composite material prepared from an industrial algal waste was performed in a packed bed column. A binary Langmuir equation describes well the equilibrium data and indicates a good adsorption capacity. In the sorption process, Cd and Cu break through the column faster than Pb due to its lower affinity for the biosorbent. An overshoot in the outlet Cd concentration was observed and explained by competitive adsorption between Pb and Cd, whereby the higher Pb affinity for the biosorbent displaces bound Cd ions. A small overshoot happens for Cu adsorption in the presence of Pb ions. Desorption using 0.1 M HNO3 as eluant, was 100% effective. A mass transfer model for the adsorption and desorption processes, considering an external and intraparticle film resistance, adequately simulates the column performance. A binary Langmuir equation was used to describe equilibrium for the saturation process and a mass action law for the desorption process. Elution process is defined as an ion exchange mechanism, between protons and metal ions.     

Arsenic extraction from nonferrous metals industry waste

We have formulated physicochemical principles of environmentally safe technologies for processing typical arsenic-containing nonferrous metals production waste via acid and alkaline stripping and chemical reduction. Our results indicate that the most efficient process for the preparation of crude arsenic compounds is sulfuric acid extraction of cake components. Detailed studies, using an arsenic-calcium cake as a test system, demonstrate that nonferrous metals production wastes are promising raw materials for the preparation of high-purity arsenic, its compounds, and other valuable metals.     

Kinetics and equilibrium studies on biosorption of cadmium, lead, and nickel ions from aqueous solutions by intact and chemically modified brown algae

The present study deals with the evaluation of biosorptive removal of Cd (II), Ni (II) and Pb (II) ions by both intact and pre-treated brown marine algae: Cystoseira indica, Sargassum glaucescens, Nizimuddinia zanardini and Padina australis treated with formaldehyde (FA), glutaraldehyde (GA), polyethylene imine (PEI), calcium chloride (CaCl(2)) and hydrochloric acid (HCl). Batch shaking adsorption experiments were performed in order to examine the effects of pH, contact time, biomass concentration, biomass treatment and initial metal concentration on the removal process. The optimum sorption conditions for each heavy metal are presented. One-way ANOVA and one sample t-tests were performed on experimental data to evaluate the statistical significance of biosorption capacities after five cycles of sorption and desorption. The equilibrium experimental data were tested using the most common isotherms. The results are best fitted by the Freundlich model among two-parameter models and the Toth, Khan and Radke-Prausnitz models among three-parameter isotherm models for Cd (II), Ni (II) and Pb (II), respectively. The kinetic data were fitted by models including pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order. From the results obtained, the pseudo-second-order kinetic model best describes the biosorption of cadmium, nickel and lead ions.     

Biosorption of lead from aqueous solutions by green algae Spirogyra species: kinetics and equilibrium studies

Biosorption is the effective method for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewaters. Results are presented showing the sorption of Pb(II) from solutions by biomass of commonly available, filamentous green algae Spirogyra sp. Batch experiments were conducted to determine the biosorption properties of the biomass and it was observed that the maximum adsorption capacity of Pb(II) ion was around 140mgmetal/g of biomass at pH 5.0 in 100min with 200mg/L of initial concentration. Temperature change in the range 20-40 degrees C affected the adsorption capacity and the nature of the reaction was found to be endothermic in nature. Uptake kinetics follows the pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium is well described by Langmuir isotherm. Isotherms have been used to determine thermodynamic parameters of the process, viz., free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change. Various properties of the algae, as adsorbent, explored in the characterization part were chemical composition of the adsorbent, thermal analysis by TGA, surface area calculation by BET method, surface morphology with scanning electron microscope images and surface functionality by FTIR. FTIR analysis of algal biomass revealed the presence of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, which are responsible for biosorption of metal ions. The results indicated that the biomass of Spirogyra sp. is an efficient biosorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solutions.     

Electrochemical arsenic extraction from nonferrous metals industry waste

We have developed physicochemical approaches to processing of arsenic-containing nonferrous metals industry waste with the use of sulfuric acid stripping followed by electrochemical arsenic extraction. Our results indicate the possibility of producing crude and high-purity arsenic; metallic zinc; and Sn, Pb, Sb, Cd, and Cu concentrates. A combined process has been developed for the preparation of 99.9999%-pure arsenic.     

Carbon fiber extraction from waste CFRP by microwave irradiation

The present paper proposes an effective method to extract carbon fibers from waste CFRPs with low energy consumption and low processing time. Carbon fibers were extracted from waste CFRPs by irradiating microwaves under different atmospheres. The effect of the atmosphere and field intensity of irradiated microwaves on the efficiency of extraction of carbon fibers was investigated. The mechanism of extraction through microwave irradiation was also studied. Finally, the tensile strength of extracted carbon fibers was investigated and compared with that of carbon fibers extracted using conventional methods. Test results showed that the carbon-fiber extraction through microwave irradiation can be considered to occur in three stages. First, the carbon fibers in CFRP were heated through the antenna effect by microwave irradiation. Then, the gasification of resin was promoted by the heated carbon fibers. Finally, the gasified resin was decomposed by spark glow plasma between carbon fibers.     

Sorption and desorption of lead (II) from wastewater by green algae Cladophora fascicularis

Biosorption is an effective method to remove heavy metals from wastewater. In this work, adsorption features of Cladophora fascicularis were investigated as a function of time, initial pH, initial Pb(II) concentrations, temperature and co-existing ions. Kinetics and equilibria were obtained from batch experiments. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second order model. Adsorption equilibria were well described by the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity was 198.5 mg/g at 298K and pH 5.0. The adsorption processes were endothermic and the biosorption heat was 29.6 kJ/mol. Desorption experiments indicated that 0.01 mol/L Na(2)EDTA was an efficient desorbent for the recovery of Pb(II) from biomass. IR spectrum analysis suggested amido or hydroxy, CO and C-O could combine intensively with Pb(II).     

Kinetic and equilibrium studies in removing lead ions from aqueous solutions by natural sepiolite

The capacity of sepiolite for the removal of lead ions from aqueous solution was investigated under different experimental conditions. The Langmuir and Freundlich equations, which are in common use for describing sorption equilibrium for wastewater-treatment applications, were applied to data. The constants and correlation coefficients of these isotherm models for the present system at different conditions such as pH, temperature and particle size were calculated and compared. The equilibrium process was well described by the Langmuir isotherm model and the maximum sorption capacity was found to be 93.4 mg/g for the optimal experimental condition. The thermodynamic parameters (DeltaG(o), DeltaH(o) and DeltaS(o)) for lead sorption on the sepiolite were also determined from the temperature dependence. The influences of specific parameters such as the agitation speed, particle size and initial concentration for the kinetic studies were also examined. The sorption kinetics were tested for first order reversible, pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order reaction and the rate constants of kinetic models were calculated. The best correlation coefficients were obtained using the pseudo-second order kinetic model, indicating that lead uptake process followed the pseudo-second order rate expression.     

Biosorption of copper and lead ions by waste beer yeast

Locally available waste beer yeast, a byproduct of brewing industry, was found to be a low cost and promising adsorbent for adsorbing copper and lead ions from wastewater. In this work, biosorption of copper and lead ions on waste beer yeast was investigated in batch mode. The equilibrium adsorptive quantity was determined to be a function of the solution pH, contact time, beer yeast concentration, salt concentration and initial concentration of copper and lead ions. The experimental results were fitted well to the Langmuir and Freundlich model isotherms. According to the parameters of Langmuir isotherm, the maximum biosorption capacities of copper and lead ions onto beer yeast were 0.0228 and 0.0277 mmol g(-1) at 293 K, respectively. The negative values of the standard free energy change (DeltaG degrees ) indicate spontaneous nature of the process. Competitive biosorption of two metal ions was investigated in terms of sorption quantity. The amount of one metal ion adsorbed onto unit weight of biosorbent (q(e)) decreased with increasing the competing metal ion concentration. The binding capacity for lead is more than for copper. Ion exchange is probably one of the main mechanism during adsorptive process.     

电渗析法浓缩回收稀土矿铵盐废液

介绍了采用离子交换膜电渗析法对硫酸铵废水进行浓缩回收的研究 .对诸多影响电渗析法浓缩和脱盐效果的工艺参数进行了试验研究 .结果表明 ,采用该法浓缩处理稀土矿铵盐废水是一条颇有前途的新型处理方法 .     

乳状液膜法分离氨基酸的动力学

探讨了含载体P2 0 4 (磷酸二异辛酯 )的液膜体系用于苯丙氨酸促进运输的动力学行为 .采用液滴法装置 ,控制实验条件 ,测定了内相氢离子浓度随时间的变化 ,适用于有机相界面的化学反应对溶质传递的影响 ,并将计算的结果同实验相比较 ,建立了水相 -有机相界面化学反应对溶质传质具有决定作用时的传质模型     

Experimentation on solvent extraction of polyphenols from natural waste

The main commercial product of the cashew tree is the cashew apple and nut. Cashew nut is regarded as lost crop in the content of agricultural produce of India despite its industrial and export potentials. After separation of nut from the cashew fruit, the nut shell is disposed into the environment and this is acting as a waste. The nut shell containing a dark reddish brown viscous liquid is called cashew nut shell liquid (CNSL) and consists of 70% anacardic acid (polyphenol), 18% cardol, and 5% cardanol. This waste material is having twofold advantages: CNSL is a low-cost phenol, which is having many industrial applications and after extraction of CNSL from the shell, the shell is acting as a fuel for many boilers. Cashew nut shell liquid was extracted from cashew nut shell by indirect leaching process using soxhlet extraction equipment. Different solvents were used in the extraction of CNSL from the cashew nut shell (CNS) and a comparison was made between them. Among all the solvents acetone gives more amounts of CNSL and its properties rely with the industrial CNSL. The operating conditions for the extraction were 60 °C and 1 atm; in every 25 g of cashew nut shell used for the extraction, 8.75 g CNSL was obtained. The CNSL was further separated into cardol, cardanol, and anacardic acid (polyphenol) using an extractant, ammonium hydroxide, with the aid of mechanical shaker equipment. Subsequently, the polyphenol was further separated into dihydric phenols (resorcinol) and monohydric phenol (phenol).     

Efficiency of green waste compost and biochar soil amendments for reducing lead and copper mobility and uptake to ryegrass

Green waste compost and biochar amendments were assessed for their assistance in regulating the mobility of copper (Cu) and lead (Pb) and the resultant uptake of these metals into vegetation. The amendments were mixed with a heavily Cu and Pb contaminated soil (600 and 21,000 mg kg(-1), respectively) from a former copper mine in Cheshire (UK), on a volume basis both singly and in combination in greenhouse pot trials. Ryegrass (Lolium perenne L. var. Cadix) was grown for the following 4 months during which biomass, metals in soil pore water and plant uptake were measured in three consecutive harvests. Very high Pb concentrations in pore water from untreated soil (>80 mg l(-1)) were reduced furthest by compost amendment (<5 mg l(-1)) whereas biochar was the more effective treatment at reducing pore water Cu concentrations. Duly, ryegrass shoot Cu levels were reduced and large, significant reductions in shoot Pb levels were observed after biochar and compost amendments, respectively during successive harvests. However, because green waste compost singly and in combination with biochar vividly enhanced biomass yields, harvestable amounts of Pb were only significantly reduced by the compost amendment which had reduced shoot Pb levels furthest. The low biomass of ryegrass with biochar amendment meant that this was the only amendment which did not significantly increase harvestable amounts of Cu. Therefore the two amendments have opposing metal specific suitability for treating this contaminated soil regarding whether it is a maximum reduction in plant tissue metal concentration or a maximum reduction in harvestable amount of metal that is required.     

Equilibrium and kinetic modelling of cadmium(II) biosorption by nonliving algal biomass Oedogonium sp. from aqueous phase

The biosorption of cadmium(II) ions on Oedogonium sp. is studied in a batch system with respect to initial pH, algal dose, contact time and the temperature. The algal biomass exhibited the highest cadmium(II) uptake capacity at 25 degrees C, at the initial pH value of 5.0 in 55 min and at the initial cadmium(II) ion concentration of 200 mg L(-1). Biosorption capacity decreased from 88.9 to 80.4 mg g(-1) with an increase in temperature from 25 to 45 degrees C at this initial cadmium(II) concentration. Uptake kinetics follows the pseudo-second-order model and equilibrium is well described by Langmuir isotherm. Isotherms have been used to determine thermodynamic parameters of the process, viz., free energy change, enthalpy change and entropy change. FTIR analysis of algal biomass revealed the presence of amino, carboxyl, hydroxyl and carbonyl groups, which are responsible for biosorption of metal ions. Acid pretreatments did not substantially increase metal sorption capacity but alkali like NaOH pretreatment slightly enhanced the metal removal ability of the biomass. During repeated sorption/desorption cycles at the end of fifth cycle, Cd(II) sorption decreased by 18%, with 15-20% loss of biomass. Nevertheless, Oedogonium sp. appears to be a good sorbent for removing metal Cd(II) from aqueous phase.     

Characterization of aqueous lead removal by phosphatic clay: equilibrium and kinetic studies

Immobilization of heavy metals from contaminated environments is an emerging field of interest from both resource conservation and environmental remediation points of view. This study investigated the feasibility of using phosphatic clay, a waste by-product of the phosphate mining industry, as an effective sorbent for Pb from aqueous effluents. The major parameters controlling aqueous Pb removal, viz. initial metal ion concentrations, solution pH, sorbent amounts, ionic strength and presence of both inorganic and organic ligands were evaluated using batch experiments. Results demonstrated that aqueous Pb removal efficiency of phosphatic clay is controlled mainly by dissolution of phosphatic clay associated fluoroapatite [Ca(10)(PO(4))(5)CaCO(3)(F,Cl,OH)(2)], followed by subsequent precipitation of geochemically stable pyromorphite [Pb(10)(PO(4))(6)(F,Cl,OH)(2)], which was confirmed by both X-ray diffraction (XRD) and scanning electron microscopic (SEM) analysis. Lead removal efficiency of phosphatic clay increased with increasing pH, sorbent amount and decreasing ionic strength. It also depends on the nature of complexing ligands. Formation of insoluble calcium oxalate and lead oxalate in the presence of oxalic acid explained high uptake of Pb by phosphatic clay from aqueous solution. However, Pb sorption kinetics onto phosphatic clay were biphasic, with initially fast reactions followed by slow and continuous Pb removal reactions. The slow reactions may include surface sorption, co-precipitation and diffusion. The exceptional capability of phosphatic clay to remove aqueous Pb demonstrated its potential as a cost effective way to remediate Pb-contaminated water, soils and sediments.     

Synthesis and characterization of hematite pigment obtained from a steel waste industry

Pigments that meet environmental and technology requirements are the focus of the research in the ceramic sector. This study focuses on the synthesis of ceramic pigment by encapsulation of hematite in crystalline and amorphous silica matrix. Iron oxide from a metal sheet rolling process was used as chromophore. A different content of hematite and silica was homogenized by conventional and high energy milling. The powders obtained after calcinations between 1050 and 1200 °C for 2 h were characterized by X-ray diffraction and SEM analysis. The pigments were applied to ceramic enamel and porcelain body. The effect of pigment was measured by comparing L*a*b* values of the heated samples. Results showed that the color developed is influenced by variables such as oxide content employed, conditions of milling and processing temperature. The results showed that the use of pigment developed does not interfere in microstructural characteristics of pigmented material. The best hue was obtained from samples with 15 wt% of chromophore, heated at 1200 °C in amorphous silica matrix.     

Characterisation and recovery of sodium chloride from salt-laden solid waste generated from leather industry

In this present investigation, physical and chemical characteristics of salt-laden solid waste (SLSW) generated from leather industry during soaking process of raw skins/hides and reverse osmosis reject stream were determined. The disposal of SLSW onto landfill was banned due to the possibility of ground water contamination by leachate, and its treatment process becomes tedious and cost intensive. The detailed characterisation of SLSW was evaluated for the development of effective methods for the treatment and/or disposal of SLSW. In the present study, sodium chloride was recovered to reduce the impact of the disposal of SLSW. The recovery of sodium chloride was achieved by selective precipitation using hydrogen chloride gas as a precipitating agent. The optimum conditions for the precipitation of sodium chloride were concentration of SLSW, 60 % (w/w); HCl gas purging, time 3 min (for a batch volume of 100 mL); pH, 8.0; and temperature, 30–40 °C. The scanning electron microscopy images of SLSW and the recovered sodium chloride were captured to observe the surface morphology. The recovered salt showed purity equivalent to that of standard reference salt. The recovered salt can be reused within leather sector or to the other process industries that meet their specification.