Remoción de plomo (Pb) en muestras de agua sintética mediante un biofiltro empacado con adsorbentes naturales

Abstract

In this study, the removal of lead in synthetic wastewater samples was evaluated, through a biofilter packed with natural adsorbents (lemon peel, dioecious pepper and pine strobilus), Fixed bed columns were built, following a completely randomized block experimental design. Two studies were carried out to describe the adsorption process of lead ions in columns. In the first study, the variability factors were contact time and volumetric flow, with an initial concentration of 6.1411 (mg / L) and particle size of 500 microns, mathematical models such as Yoon-Nelson, Thomas and Dose-Response were constructed to obtain breakdown curves and fit equations. The second study describes the equilibrium and adsorption kinetics, it was worked at an initial concentration of 6.7166 (mg / L) and a particle size of 1mm and 500 microns, the samples were analysed in an atomic adsorption spectrophotometer. The experimental data of adsorption equilibrium were evaluated by applying the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, while the kinetic data were evaluated using the pseudo-first and second-order models. The results of the first study showed that as the volumetric flow rate increases, also the retention of the metal. In the equilibrium study, the Freundlich model has a better effect on the experimental data, while in adsorption kinetics the best fit model was the pseudo-first-order. It is concluded that two studies were carried out to provide a viable, economical, and sustainable solution to the treatment of aqueous media contaminated by lead ions. It is recommended to test the calcined natural adsorbents in coal columns to remove other types of heavy metals such as cadmium, zinc, and chromium.