Removal of ions Pb (II) and Cd (II) in porous bed by adsorption/ion exchange on bentonite fluidgel type clay

• Grant number: 10/52017-6
• Support Opportunities: Regular Research Grants
• Start date: January 01, 2011
• End date: December 31, 2012
• Field of knowledge: Engineering - Chemical Engineering - Chemical Process Industries
• Principal Investigator: Melissa Gurgel Adeodato Vieira
• Grantee: Melissa Gurgel Adeodato Vieira
• Host Institution: Faculdade de Engenharia Química (FEQ). Universidade Estadual de Campinas (UNICAMP). Campinas , SP, Brazil

Abstract

This research project aims to study the removal of heavy metals commonly found in industrial wastewater and landfills in the metropolitan region of Campinas, specifically lead (Pb2+) and cadmium (Cd2+), using as adsorbent the sodium bentonite Fluidgel type clay extracted from deposits in northeastern Brazil (Boa Vista - PB). The study will be conducted in finite bath and fixed bed systems for each metal in cycles of adsorption/desorption in order to evaluate the performance of the best cationic exchanger in fixed bed column in cycles of exchange/regeneration to determine the operating conditions and as the lifetime of the column. The characterization of the adsorbent (before and after adsorption/desorption) and knowledge of the effect of physical and chemical properties in the dynamic adsorption of components in the experimental system will be determined from the following methods: X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) Spectroscopy Infrared (FTIR), Thermal Analysis (TG and DSC), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with chemical analysis by Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), N2 physisorption (BET), He-gas picnometry and porosimetry of Hg. With the characterization of clay, its properties may be controlled allowing an evaluation of this material in the adsorption of lead and cadmium in different experimental systems. (AU)