Removal of metal cations from water using zeolites

Journal Article · Sun Nov 01 04:00:00 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), Journal Name: Separation Science and Technology; (United States) Vol. 27:14; ISSN 0149-6395; ISSN SSTEDS
• Country of Publication: United States
• Language: English

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ALKALINE EARTH METALS
AMMONIUM COMPOUNDS
AQUEOUS SOLUTIONS
BULK DENSITY
CADMIUM
CALCIUM
COHERENT SCATTERING
COMPARATIVE EVALUATIONS
CONTROL
COPPER
DATA
DENSITY
DIFFRACTION
DISPERSIONS
ELEMENTS
EVALUATION
EXPERIMENTAL DATA
HYDROGEN COMPOUNDS
INDUSTRY
INFORMATION
INORGANIC ION EXCHANGERS
INTERFERING ELEMENTS
ION EXCHANGE MATERIALS
IRON
LIQUID WASTES
MANAGEMENT
MANGANESE
MATERIALS
MATERIALS RECOVERY
METALS
MINERAL INDUSTRY
MINERALS
MINING
MIXTURES
NICKEL
NUMERICAL DATA
OXYGEN COMPOUNDS
PHYSICAL PROPERTIES
POLLUTION CONTROL
PROCESSING
REMOVAL
SCATTERING
SILICATE MINERALS
SOLUTIONS
SORPTIVE PROPERTIES
SURFACE PROPERTIES
TRANSITION ELEMENTS
WASTE MANAGEMENT
WASTE PROCESSING
WASTE WATER
WASTES
WATER
WATER POLLUTION CONTROL
WATER TREATMENT
X-RAY DIFFRACTION
ZEOLITES
ZINC