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Boron removal from aqueous solutions using alginate gel beads in fixed-bed systems
Hary Demey-Cedeño1, Montserrat Ruiz1, Jesús Alberto Barron-Zambrano1
1Universitat Politècnica de Catalunya, EPSEVG, Department of Chemical Engineering Av. Víctor Balaguer, s/n, 08800, Vilanova i la Geltrú, Spain.
Summary
Calcium alginate gel beads effectively remove boron from water in a packed-bed column. Optimal boron adsorption occurs at high pH, high initial boron concentration, greater column depth, and lower flow velocity.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Adsorption Processes
Background:
- Boron removal from aqueous solutions is critical for water quality.
- Calcium alginate gel beads were investigated as a potential adsorbent.
- Packed-bed column studies are essential for water treatment design.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate calcium alginate gel beads for boron removal in a column system.
- To determine the adsorption capacity and percentage removal of boron.
- To model the breakthrough curves and identify optimal operating parameters.
Main Methods:
- Column sorption experiments were conducted.
- Breakthrough curves were analyzed under varying pH, boron concentration, flow rate, adsorbent mass, and column diameter.
- The Adams-Bohart model and bed-depth service time (BDST) were used for data analysis.
Main Results:
- The maximum boron adsorption percentage was 55.14% under specific conditions (50 mg L-1 boron, pH 11, 20°C).
- Column data were successfully modeled using the Adams-Bohart and BDST methods.
- Characteristic column parameters for process design were determined.
Conclusions:
- Calcium alginate is a viable adsorbent for continuous boron removal in packed-bed columns.
- Optimal boron adsorption is achieved at high pH, high initial boron concentration, increased column depth, and low flow velocity.
