Phosphorus elimination from aqueous solution using 'zirconium loaded okara' as a biosorbent
T A H Nguyen1, H H Ngo1, W S Guo1
1Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
Bioresource Technology
|August 14, 2014
Summary
This study demonstrates zirconium loaded okara (ZLO) effectively captures phosphorus from water. ZLO shows high adsorption capacity and rapid removal, offering an eco-friendly solution for phosphorus remediation.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Materials Science
- Chemical Engineering
Background:
- Phosphorus pollution in aquatic ecosystems poses significant environmental challenges.
- Developing efficient and sustainable methods for phosphorus removal is crucial for water quality management.
- Okara, a byproduct of soy processing, presents an underutilized resource for environmental applications.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the biosorption of phosphorus from aqueous solutions using zirconium loaded okara (ZLO).
- To optimize biosorption conditions including pH, biosorbent dose, initial phosphorus concentration, contact time, and temperature.
- To evaluate the adsorption capacity, kinetics, and thermodynamics of ZLO for phosphorus removal.
Main Methods:
- Batch mode experiments were conducted to study phosphorus capture by ZLO.
- Systematic variation of parameters such as pH (2-6), biosorbent dose, initial phosphorus concentration (5-50 mg/L), contact time, and temperature (298K).
- Adsorption data were analyzed using Freundlich and Pseudo-second order models; thermodynamic parameters were calculated.
Main Results:
- Optimal phosphorus adsorption occurred at pH 2-6.
- Maximum adsorption capacity reached approximately 44.13 mg PO4/g at 298K.
- Phosphate removal was rapid, achieving 95% removal within 30 minutes.
- Freundlich and Pseudo-second order models best described the equilibrium and kinetic data, respectively.
- Thermodynamic analysis indicated a feasible, spontaneous, and endothermic adsorption process.
Conclusions:
- Zirconium loaded okara (ZLO) is a highly effective and eco-friendly biosorbent for phosphorus removal from aqueous solutions.
- The biosorption process is efficient, rapid, and follows established adsorption models.
- ZLO offers a sustainable approach to phosphorus remediation, utilizing an abundant agricultural byproduct.
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