Browsing by Author "Labik, Linus Kweku"

Now showing 1 - 1 of 1
  • Thumbnail Image
    Item
    Synthesis of zeolites and their applications to removal of arsenic and ammonia–nitrogen from samples of contaminated water
    (2012-12-02) Labik, Linus Kweku
    The removal performance of arsenic and ammonia were investigated by adsorption process on Linde Type X (LTX), Low–Silica Type X and Linde Type A (LTA) zeolites. The zeolites were hydrothermally synthesized in the laboratory at 100oC 1oC. The synthesized zeolites were characterized by X-ray di raction (XRD), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), Fourier-Transformed Infra-red spectroscopy and Thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). The removal capacity of arsenic, known to be a hazardous contaminant in drinking water that causes arsenical dermatitis and skin cancer, and ammonia, which can have deletrious e ects in water sources, were evaluated by adding 1.5 g and 0.8 g of zeolites to 100 ml and 50 ml of wastewater respectively for arsenic and ammonia removal. Removal e ciencies for Arsenic removal after treating for 30 minutes with adsorbents ranged between 67.86–81.35 % for LTX, 67.86–86.31 % for LSX and 71.87–96.00 % for LTA while removal e ciency of LTA for ammonia removal also ranged between 76.67–93.33 % and 86.15–90.77 % for treatment for 30 minutes (sample 1) and 60 minutes (sample 2) respectively. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used in analysing results obtained from experimental studies. It was concluded that zeolites were e cient in removing arsenic and ammonia from contaminated water samples. The concentrations of arsenic and ammonia obtained after treatment were below the minimum contaminant levels as stipulated by the Ghana EPA. It is suggested that alternate methods like column and bed methods should be utilized to increase removal e ciencies and the use of local raw materials to synthesise the zeolites.