Diseño de un proceso para la remoción de cadmio presente en las aguas del estero el macho en la ciudad de Machala utilizando espuma de poliuretano como adsorbente.

Abstract

The design of a process for the removal of cadmium present in the waters of the Estero El Macho in the city of Machala (Ecuador) was executed using polyurethane foam as an adsorbent. Cadmium concentrations were quantified by atomic absorption in the waters of the estuary by using three sampling points. For the adsorption of cadmium from the contaminated waters of the estuary, polyurethane foam modified with silver nanoparticles was used. The results showed a percentage of cadmium adsorption of 48.75% of the initial number of ions studied (1.6 mg / L) using 1.56 g of polyurethane adsorbent modified with silver nanoparticles at pH 8. The polyurethane foam was in a cubic shape of 0.5 cm on each side. For the analysis of equilibrium adsorption data, the Langmuir and Freundlich models were used. The results indicated that polyurethane foam activated with silver nanoparticles was effective for the treatment of water contaminated with cadmium.