Adsorption of Oxyanions from Industrial Wastewater using Perlite-Supported Magnetite.

ABSTRACT

Most studies on oxyanion adsorption focus on their removal from synthetic solutions. It is often claimed that the considered adsorbents can be used to treat real (industrial) wastewaters, but this is seldom tested. Perlite-supported magnetite was characterized first by determining its specific surface area, magnetite content and by examining the coating. Tests on a synthetic solution showed that at the ideal pH values (pH 3 to 5), the order of adsorption is Mo(VI) > As(V) > Sb(V) > Cr(VI) > Se(VI). Most oxyanions can be removed for more than 75% with an adsorbent dosage of 1 g/l. Furthermore, perlite-supported magnetite has a higher removal efficiency for oxyanions than commercially available adsorbents and comparable adsorbents described in literature. Perlite-supported magnetite is suitable for treating real wastewaters it can remove several oxyanions simultaneously from the considered industrial wastewater, but the adsorption order changes due to the presence of interfering anions.