Removal of metal cations from water using zeolites

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 00:00:00 EST 1992 · Separation Science and Technology; (United States)

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1080/01496399208019459· OSTI ID:7002152

Zamzow, M J; Murphy, J E ^[1]

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1. U.S. Bureau of Mines, Reno, NV (United States)

Zeolites from abundant natural deposits were investigated by the Bureau of Mines for efficiently cleaning up mining industry wastewaters. Twenty-four zeolite samples were analyzed by x-ray diffraction and inductively coupled plasma. These included clinoptilolite, mordenite, chabazite, erionite, and phillipsite. Bulk densities of a sized fraction ([minus]40, +65 mesh) varied from 0.48 to 0.93 g/ml. Attrition losses ranged from 1 to 18% during an hour-long shake test. The 24 zeolites and an ion-exchange resin were tested for the uptake of Cd, Cu, and Zn. Of the natural zeolites, phillipsite proved to be the most efficient, while the mordenites had the lowest uptakes. Sodium was the most effective exchangeable ion for exchange of heavy metals. Wastewater from an abandoned copper mine in Nevada was used to test the effectiveness of clinoptilolite for treating a multi-ion wastewater. The metal ions Fe[sup 3+], Cu[sup 2+], and Zn[sup 2+] in the copper mine wastewater were removed to below drinking water standards, but Mn[sup 2+] and Ni[sup 2+] were not. Calcium and NH[sub 4][sup +] interfered with the uptake of heavy metals. Adsorbed heavy metals were eluted from zeolites with a 3% NaCl solution. Heavy metals were concentrated in the eluates up to 30-fold relative to the waste solution. Anions were not adsorbed by the zeolites.

• OSTI ID: 7002152
• Journal Information: Separation Science and Technology; (United States), Vol. 27:14; ISSN 0149-6395
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

Related Subjects

32 ENERGY CONSERVATION, CONSUMPTION, AND UTILIZATION
54 ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCES
CADMIUM
MATERIALS RECOVERY
COPPER
ZEOLITES
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
ZINC
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BULK DENSITY
CALCIUM
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
INTERFERING ELEMENTS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
IRON
MANGANESE
MINERAL INDUSTRY
MINING
NICKEL
REMOVAL
WASTE WATER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER TREATMENT
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ALKALINE EARTH METALS
COHERENT SCATTERING
CONTROL
DATA
DENSITY
DIFFRACTION
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EVALUATION
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MATERIALS
METALS
MINERALS
MIXTURES
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLLUTION CONTROL
PROCESSING
SCATTERING
SILICATE MINERALS
SOLUTIONS
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTES
WATER
320305* - Energy Conservation
Consumption
& Utilization- Industrial & Agricultural Processes- Industrial Waste Management
540220 - Environment
Terrestrial- Chemicals Monitoring & Transport- (1990-)