Title: The process of flotation: an efficient solid/liquid separation technique for biological materials

Authors: A.I. Zouboulis, N.K. Lazaridis, K.A. Matis

Addresses: Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece. ' Laboratory of General and Inorganic Chemical Technology, School of Chemistry, Aristotle University, GR-54124 Thessaloniki, Greece

Abstract: The studied innovative wastewater treatment process involved the initial abstraction of heavy metal ions onto fungal or stalks biomass (biosorption), followed by the application of a typical flotation stage for the efficient downstream separation of metal-laden biosorbent particles. The ability of microorganisms to remove metal ions from dilute aqueous solutions is a well-known property. Flotation originated from the minerals| processing field; however, it has nowadays found application in the wastewater treatment field. The two processes of biosorption and flotation can be efficiently combined, forming the so-called |biosorptive flotation| process.

Keywords: biosorption; toxic metals; harvesting; biomass; separation; biosorptive flotation; wastewater treatment; pollution control; environmental pollution; microbial technology.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2008.016896

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008 Vol.32 No.1, pp.29 - 42

Published online: 28 Jan 2008 *

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