Adsorption of selenium on hydrous alumina

Journal Article · Sun May 01 04:00:00 EDT 1994 · Environmental Progress; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1002/ep.670130210· OSTI ID:6799126

Ghosh, M M; Cox, C D ^[1]; Yuan-Pan, J R ^[2]

---

1. Univ. of Tennessee, Knoxville, TN (United States)
2. Univ. of Missouri, Columbia, MO (United States)

Adsorption of selenite (SeO[sub 3][sup 2[minus]]) and selenate (SeO[sub 4][sup 2[minus]]) on hydrous alumina ([gamma]-Al[sub 2]O[sub 3]) was studied using batch equilibrium experiments. pH, the single most significant parameter, affected both speciations of selenium (Se) and of surface hydroxo groups on alumina that, in turn, determined the extent of adsorption of the oxyanions. Adsorption of both anions could be described satisfactorily by the Triple Layer Model (TLM). In the presence of SO[sub 4][sup 2[minus]], Se(VI) adsorption decreased significantly. Fixed bed adsorbers of alumina with an empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 2 minutes or longer provided excellent removal of Se(IV) from dilute aqueous solutions in the pH range of 5 to 8 for a long period. Spent alumina beds were successfully regenerated with 0.25 percent NaOH solution followed by rinsing with deionized water and 0.05 M HCl. While two percent of alumina was lost per cycle on an average, the loss in adsorption capacity of regenerated alumina was insignificant. 43 refs., 10 figs., 7 tabs.

• OSTI ID: 6799126
• Journal Information: Environmental Progress; (United States), Journal Name: Environmental Progress; (United States) Vol. 13:2; ISSN 0278-4491; ISSN ENVPDI
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

37 INORGANIC, ORGANIC, PHYSICAL, AND ANALYTICAL CHEMISTRY
400105* -- Separation Procedures
ADSORPTION
ALUMINIUM COMPOUNDS
ALUMINIUM OXIDES
CHALCOGENIDES
ELEMENTS
OXIDES
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PH VALUE
SELENIUM
SEMIMETALS
SORPTION
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES