Application of foam separation method for removal of alkaline earth metal ions from solution

Preferential Removal of Alkali Metal Using Dodecanoic Acid and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate in Foam Separation System

The selectivity of adsorption between alkali metal ions (Li⁺, Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺) based on the ionic functional groups of the surfactants was studied using two types of surfactants, dodecanoic acid (DA) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), in the foam separation system. The results showed that Li⁺ was preferably removed by foam separation using DA. The removal rates of other alkali metal ions were relatively low, and there were no significant differences among other alkali metal ions (Na⁺, K⁺, Rb⁺, and Cs⁺). However, Cs⁺ exhibited the highest removal rate among the mixed alkali metals by foam separation using SDS. From these results, the selectivity of the alkali metal in foam separation was dependent on the type of surfactant.

Data that support the use of agro-industrial residues from orange peel and sugarcane bagasse for the production of carbonaceous structures and their application in the removal of metal ions

This document contains additional information for the production of activated carbons (AC) and carbon foams (CF) from agroindustrial wastes, orange peel (OP) and sugarcane bagasse (SCB). In particular, a set of data is presented for the characterization of carbonaceous structures (AC and CF) and their application in the removal of metallic ions contained in polluted waters. The adsorbent materials were obtained combining chemical and physical activation processes. Data presented here included characterization of AC and CF using dynamic light scattering (DLS), BET (Brunauer, Emmet and Teller) surface area analysis, Barrett-Joyner-Halenda (BJH) method to assess pore size distribution and zeta potential (ζ) to evaluate electrokinetic potential of carbonaceous structures. In addition, energy dispersive spectroscopy (SEM/EDS) to identify heavy metals on the surface of carbonaceous materials is shown and complementary adsorption capacity data for metal ion removal are presented in the paper. The data can be used as a reference to promote reuse of agroindustrial wastes and provide added value; particularly for the synthesis of carbonaceous structures applied to the water purification.

Reutilization of waste biomass from sugarcane bagasse and orange peel to obtain carbon foams: Applications in the metal ions removal

The high levels of heavy metals contained in residual water and the pollution generated by a large amount of unexploited agro-industrial waste are a serious problem for the environment and mankind. Therefore, in the present work, with the aim of treating and reducing the pollution caused by heavy metal ions (Pb, Cd, Zn and Cu), activated carbons (ACs) were synthesized from sugarcane bagasse (SCB) and orange peel (OP) by means of physical - chemical activation method in an acid medium (H₃PO_4, 85 wt%) followed by an activation at high temperature (500 and 700 °C). Thereafter, these materials were used to produce carbon foams (CF) by the replica method and to evaluate their adsorbent capacity for the removal of heavy metals from synthetic water. XRD, FTIR, DLS, BET, Zeta Potential (ζ), SEM-EDS and AAS were used to investigate their structures, surface area, pore size, morphology, and adsorption capacity. The results show that as-prepared CF have a second level mesoporous structure and AC present a micro-mesoporous structure with a pore diameter between 3 and 4 nm. The experimental adsorption capacities of heavy metals showed that the CF from OP present a better elimination of heavy metals compared to the AC; exhibiting a removal capacity of 95.2 ± 3.96% (Pb) and 94.7 ± 4.88% (Cu) at pH = 5. The adsorption values showed that the optimal parameters to reach a high metal removal are pH values above 5. In the best of cases, the minimum remaining concentration of lead and copper were 2.4 and 2.6 mg L^-1, respectively. The experimental data for carbon adsorbents are in accordance with the Langmuir and BET isotherms, with R² = 0.99 and the maximum homogenous biosorption capacity for lead and copper was Q_max = 968.72 and 754.14 mg g^-1, respectively. This study showed that agro-industrial wastes can be effectively retrieved to produce adsorbents materials for wastewater treatment applications.

From Microbubbles to Nanobubbles: Effect on Flotation

Attachment of particles and droplets to bubbles—the latter being of various fine sizes and created by different techniques (as described in detail)—forms the basis of flotation, a process which indeed was originated from mineral processing. Nevertheless, chemistry often plays a significant role in this area, in order for separation to be effective, as stressed. This (brief) review particularly discusses wastewater treatment applications and the effect of bubble size (from nano- to micro-) on the flotation process.