Title: Adsorption of iron and manganese from acid mine drainage using 4A-zeolite synthesised from waste with high kaolin concentrations

Authors: Carolina Resmini Melo; Humberto Gracher Riella; Nivaldo Cabral Kuhnen; Aline Resmini Melo; Marcio Roberto Rocha; Erlon Mendes; Luciano Antunes; Elidio Angioletto

Addresses: Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Universitário, Trindade – CP. 476, CEP. 8804-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil; Domênico Sônego, 220, Criciúma, Brazil ' Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Universitário, Trindade – CP. 476, CEP. 8804-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil ' Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina (UFSC), Campus Universitário, Trindade – CP. 476, CEP. 8804-900, Florianópolis, SC, Brazil ' Faculdade SATC, Pascoal Meller, 73; Bairro Universitário, CP. 362, CEP. 88805-380, Criciúma, SC, Brazil ' Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105; Bairro Universitário, CP. 3167, CEP. 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brazil ' Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105; Bairro Universitário, CP. 3167, CEP. 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brazil ' Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105; Bairro Universitário, CP. 3167, CEP. 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brazil ' Universidade do Extremo Sul Catarinense (UNESC), Av. Universitária, 1105; Bairro Universitário, CP. 3167, CEP. 88806-000, Criciúma, SC, Brazil

Abstract: This research analysed the behaviour of heavy metals adsorption by zeolites and their associated applicability for treating acid mine drainage (AMD). The type 4A zeolite used was synthesised by a hydrothermal reaction using kaolin derived from the waste pulping process of white paper. For the development of kinetic studies of adsorption, samples were collected from AMD that were located in the southern State of Santa Catarina, Brazil. The optimal conditions for the removal of iron and manganese have been investigated by testing the adsorption, varying both the mass of zeolites used and adsorption times for a quantity of 1 litre of AMD. Adsorption studies have shown that in the first 15 minutes, approximately 80% of Fe was adsorbed. The adsorption of Mn was also efficient. Kinetic parameters were determined by the Langmuir isotherm, which allowed for the calculation of the theoretical adsorption of metals as a function of time.

Keywords: acid mine drainage; AMD; Langmuir isotherm; iron adsorption; manganese adsorption; zeolites; waste pulping; white paper; kaolin concentrations; heavy metals; kinetics; Brazil.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEP.2014.067682

International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2014 Vol.56 No.1/2/3/4, pp.79 - 93

Accepted: 05 Sep 2014
Published online: 07 Mar 2015 *

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