Effective removal of trace-level toxic metals from flue gas desulfurization wastewater using SiO2 supported hydrogel sorbent. (March 2023)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wang, Qiuming; Wilfong, Walter; Kail, Brain; Ji, Tuo; Shi, Fan; Gray, McMahan
• Is Part Of: Materials today sustainability. Volume 21(2023)
• Publication Date: 2023-03
• Subjects: Adsorption kinetics -- Poly(ethyleneimine) -- Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) water -- Regeneration -- Space velocity; Materials science -- Environmental aspects -- Periodicals; Sustainable engineering -- Periodicals; 620.11
• DOI: 10.1016/j.mtsust.2023.100324
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 2589-2347

Abstract

Abstract: Flue gas desulfurization (FGD) wastewater generated from coal-fired power plants contain potentially harmful heavy metal pollutants that pose a threat to public health and clean water. In this work, we present a water stable polyethylenimine-n, n'-methylenebisacrylamide (PEI-MBAA) functionalized SiO2 solid sorbent material (PMS-1.2/1/4) and investigate its metal adsorption kinetics, selectivity, regenerability, and space velocity. The kinetic studies of six of the toxic heavy metals (As, Cd, Cr, Pb, Se, and Hg) prepared with single elements in Milli-Q water showed the effect of chemical bonding and intraparticle mass transfer resistance on the sorption process. The selectivity studies demonstrated the significant adsorption efficiency toward trace-level heavy metals (Se, Cd, U, Al, etc.) from authentic industrial FGD wastewater. Through five consecutive adsorption−desorption cycles with the FGD (uptake)-citrate (release)-based buffer pair, the sorbent showed high heavy metal removal ability and good reusability. The maximum flow rate for the removal of Se from industrial FGD wastewater was determined to be as high as 8 bed volumes/minute of the sorbent bed. The results demonstrate the PMS-1.2/1.4 sorbent is a promising candidate for the removal of heavy metals from practical aqueous solutions. Graphical abstract: Image 1 Highlights: Regenerable sorbent material with improved heavy metal uptake after regeneration. Effective removal of trace-level heavy metals from authentic FGD wastewater and meet EPA discharge limit. Proper removal efficiency of trace level of heavy metals at a flow rate of 8 sorbent bed volumes.