Studies on optimization of efficient parameters for removal of lead from aqueous solutions by natural zeolite as a low-cost adsorbent using response surface methodology

Mahmoudi, Jafar; Rahimi, Monire

doi:10.22104/aet.2017.1928.1092

Studies on optimization of efficient parameters for removal of lead from aqueous solutions by natural zeolite as a low-cost adsorbent using response surface methodology

Document Type : Research Paper

Authors

School of Chemistry, Damghan University

10.22104/aet.2017.1928.1092

Abstract

In this research, the removal of lead from the aqueous solution was investigated using natural nontoxic zeolite (clinoptilolite) as a low-cost adsorbent in order to reduce human exposure to it. The clinoptilolite zeolite obtained from the Semnan area was characterized by X-ray diffraction pattern, FTIR spectroscopy and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The central composite design (CCD) defined under the response surface methodology (RSM) was used for designing the experiments and analyzing the sorption of lead. Three parameters of contact time (43.07-101.93 min), initial concentration (508-3006 mg/L) and temperature (20-51˚C) were applied to optimize the removal percentage of lead by zeolite. It was found that the initial concentration is the most important parameter affecting the removal percentage of lead, followed by the temperature of process. The optimum values of initial concentration, contact time and temperature were found to be 2750 ppm, 82.87 min and 65°C for 99.81% removal of lead, respectively, with a high desirability of 0.990. The adsorption data fitted the Freundlich adsorption model better than the Langmuir model, with the maximum sorption capacity of the clinoptilolite zeolite for Pb(II) equaling 136.99 (mg/g).

Keywords

Main Subjects

Adsorption

References

[1] Wang, J., Chen, C. (2006). Biosorption of heavy metals by Saccharomyces cerevisiae: a review. Biotechnology advances, 24(5), 427-451.

[2] Farooq, U., Kozinski, J. A., Khan, M. A., Athar, M. (2010). Biosorption of heavy metal ions using wheat based biosorbents–a review of the recent literature. Bioresource technology, 101(14), 5043-5053.

[3] Zhan, Y., Lin, J., Li, J. (2013). Preparation and characterization of surfactant-modified hydroxyapatite/zeolite composite and its adsorption behavior toward humic acid and copper (II). Environmental science and pollution research, 20(4), 2512-2526.

[4] Fu, F., Wang, Q. (2011). Removal of heavy metal ions from wastewaters: a review. Journal of environmental management, 92(3), 407-418.

[5] Wang, J., Chen, C. (2009). Biosorbents for heavy metals removal and their future. Biotechnology advances, 27(2), 195-226.

[6] Wang, X., Liang, X., Wang, Y., Wang, X., Liu, M., Yin, D., Zhang, Y. (2011). Adsorption of Copper (II) onto activated carbons from sewage sludge by microwave-induced phosphoric acid and zinc chloride activation. Desalination, 278(1), 231-237.

[7] Tong, K. S., Kassim, M. J., Azraa, A. (2011). Adsorption of copper ion from its aqueous solution by a novel biosorbent Uncaria gambir: Equilibrium, kinetics, and thermodynamic studies. Chemical engineering journal, 170(1), 145-153.

[8] Babel, S., Kurniawan, T. A. (2003). Low-cost adsorbents for heavy metals uptake from contaminated water: a review. Journal of hazardous materials, 97(1), 219-243.

[9] Zamzow, M. J., Eichbaum, B. R., Sandgren, K. R., Shanks, D. E. (1990). Removal of heavy metals and other cations from wastewater using zeolites. Separation science and technology, 25(13-15), 1555-1569.

[10] Oliveira, L. C., Petkowicz, D. I., Smaniotto, A., Pergher, S. B. (2004). Magnetic zeolites: a new adsorbent for removal of metallic contaminants from water. Water research, 38(17), 3699-3704.

[11] Navalon, S., Alvaro, M., Garcia, H. (2009). Highly dealuminated Y zeolite as efficient adsorbent for the hydrophobic fraction from wastewater treatment plants effluents. Journal of hazardous materials, 166(1), 553-560.

[12] Yousef, R. I., El-Eswed, B., Ala’a, H. (2011). Adsorption characteristics of natural zeolites as solid adsorbents for phenol removal from aqueous solutions: kinetics, mechanism, and thermodynamics studies. Chemical engineering journal, 171(3), 1143-1149.

[13] Perić, J., Trgo, M., Medvidović, N. V. (2004). Removal of zinc, copper and lead by natural zeolite—a comparison of adsorption isotherms. Water research, 38(7), 1893-1899.

[14] Sadeghalvad, B., Torabzadehkashi, M., Azadmehr, A. R. (2015). A comparative study of Cu (II) and Pb (II) adsorption by Iranian bentonite (Birjand area) in aqueous solutions, Advances in Environmental Technology, 2, 93-100.

[15] Ghorbani, M., Nowee, S. M. (2016). Kinetic study of Pb(II) and Ni(II) adsorption onto MCM-41 amine-functionalized nano particle.

[16] Srivastava, S. K., Bhattacharjee, G., Tyagi, R., Pant, N., Pal, N. (1988). Studies on the removal of some toxic metal ions from aqueous solutions and industrial waste. Part I (Removal of lead and cadmium by hydrous iron and aluminium oxide). Environmental technology, 9(10), 1173-1185.

[17] Salem, A., Sene, R. A. (2011). Removal of lead from solution by combination of natural zeolite–kaolin–bentonite as a new low-cost adsorbent. Chemical engineering journal, 174(2), 619-628.

[18] EL-Mekkawi, D. M., Selim, M. M. (2014). Removal of Pb²⁺ from water by using Na-Y zeolites prepared from Egyptian kaolins collected from different sources. Journal of environmental chemical engineering, 2(1), 723-730.

[19] Guyo, U., Makawa, T., Moyo, M., Nharingo, T., Nyamunda, B. C., Mugadza, T. (2015). Application of response surface methodology for Cd (II) adsorption on maize tassel-magnetite nanohybrid adsorbent. Journal of environmental chemical engineering, 3(4), 2472-2483.

[20] Kumar, A., Prasad, B., Mishra, I. M. (2008). Optimization of process parameters for acrylonitrile removal by a low-cost adsorbent using Box–Behnken design. Journal of hazardous materials, 150(1), 174-182.

[21] Ates, A., Akgül, G. (2016). Modification of natural zeolite with NaOH for removal of manganese in drinking water. Powder technology, 287, 285-291.

[22] Erdem, E., Karapinar, N., Donat, R. (2004). The removal of heavy metal cations by natural zeolites. Journal of colloid and interface science, 280(2), 309-314.

[23] Aydın Temel, F., Kuleyin, A. (2016). Ammonium removal from landfill leachate using natural zeolite: kinetic, equilibrium, and thermodynamic studies. Desalination and water treatment, 57(50), 23873-23892.

[24] Deshpande, V. P., Bhoskar, P. B. T., (2012). Dielectric study of zeolite clinoptilolite. International Journal of Engineering research and technology, 1 (9), 2278.

[25] Huang, M., Xu, C., Wu, Z., Huang, Y., Lin, J., Wu, J. (2008). Photocatalytic discolorization of methyl orange solution by Pt modified TiO₂ loaded on natural zeolite. Dyes and pigments, 77(2), 327-334.

[26] Ates, A., Hardacre, C. (2012). The effect of various treatment conditions on natural zeolites: Ion exchange, acidic, thermal and steam treatments. Journal of colloid and interface science, 372(1), 130-140.

[27] Mihaly-Cozmuta, L., Mihaly-Cozmuta, A., Peter, A., Nicula, C., Tutu, H., Silipas, D., Indrea, E. (2014). Adsorption of heavy metal cations by Na-clinoptilolite: equilibrium and selectivity studies. Journal of environmental management, 137, 69-80.