Synthesis of zeolites and their applications to removal of arsenic and ammonia–nitrogen from samples of contaminated water
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Date
2012-12-02
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Abstract
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.
Description
A Thesis Submitted to the School of Graduate Studies,
Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology, Kumasi,
in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree
of
MASTER OF SCIENCE IN
MATERIALS SCIENCE
College of Science
MAY, 2012