Ammonium Removal in Wastewater Treatments by Adsorbent Geopolymer Material with Granite Wastes: Full-Scale Validation

M. Otero (), L. Freire, S. Gómez-Cuervo and C. Ávila
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M. Otero: AIMEN Technology Centre, 36410 O Porriño, Spain
L. Freire: AIMEN Technology Centre, 36410 O Porriño, Spain
S. Gómez-Cuervo: AIMEN Technology Centre, 36410 O Porriño, Spain
C. Ávila: AIMEN Technology Centre, 36410 O Porriño, Spain

Clean Technol., 2024, vol. 6, issue 1, 1-26

Abstract: Elevated ammonium (NH 4 + ) concentrations in untreated waterways contribute to eutrophication and dissolved oxygen depletion. Geopolymer (GP) materials are introduced as sustainable, straightforward operation and low-cost option for pollutant adsorption through ion exchange mechanism. In the present study, a porous metakaolin-based geopolymer with granite waste additions was synthetized, characterised and validated as adsorbent material for NH 4 + pollution in water. At this point, treatments to reduce GP alkalis leaching were also considered to comply with the water discharge regulations. The adsorption mechanism was analysed by Redlich-Peterson isotherm model concluding that NH 4 + was disposed on the GP surface as a monolayer with strong physical-chemical attraction between molecules. Kinetics of the process followed the Weber-Morris rate equation being the intraparticle diffusion the limiting process. Continuous experiments at lab-scale suggested a maximum removal of 97% during the first hours and an adsorption capacity (q) of 25.24 mg/g. Additionally, as a main novelty of the work, the GP was validated in a full-scale pilot plant monitoring pH, electrical conductivity and NH 4 + concentration. The obtained data revealed that the GP is high selective in a real wastewater stream and removed 81% of NH 4 + , higher adsorption values than those reported for natural and some synthetic zeolites.

Keywords: porous geopolymer; adsorption; NH4 + removal; alkali leaching; wastewater treatment (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: Q2 Q3 Q4 Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2024
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