Removal of Mn from aqueous solution using fly ash and its hydrothermal synthetic zeolite

A number of water purification processes have been developed in recent years based on the utilisation of low-cost materials with high pollutant removal efficiency. Among these materials, fly ash and zeolite synthesised from fly ash are two examples of high-efficiency adsorbents. Column absorption tests were performed in order to compare the manganese sorption behaviour of an Italian coal fly ash and zeolite synthesised from it. Different masses of both materials (10-60 g) were exposed to solutions containing a total metal concentration of 10 mg/L. Batch adsorption studies were also conducted to determine the effect of time on the removal on Mn sequestration. The results indicate that both materials are effective for the removal of Mn from aqueous solution by precipitation due to the high pH of the solid/liquid mixtures. However, the leaching tests reveal that the amount of Mn removed from the fly ash was greater than that leached from the zeolite, thereby indicating that the metal is partially sequestrated by zeolite.