This study evaluates Alum sludge from drinking water treatment plants for the efficient and cost-effective removal of phosphates from aqueous solutions. Extensive characterization and batch experiments have established that optimal phosphate removal was achieved with a sludge dosage of 20 g L (at an initial phosphate concentration of 100 mg L), a pH of 5, a temperature of 23 °C, and a stirring speed of 200 rpm. These conditions significantly reduced phosphate levels, ensuring compliance with legal discharge limits.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThe catalytic wet air oxidation (CWAO) of p-hydroxybenzoic acid (p-HBA) was conducted in a batch reactor at 140 °C, and at a total air pressure of 50 bar over Ru-based catalysts. Four materials were selected as supports - TiO, CeO-TiO, ZrO-TiO and LaO-TiO - all of which had mesopores in their texture and pollutant adsorption capacities. The supports were prepared by the sol-gel method, and then impregnated with 3 wt% of Ru precursor.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBiochar has shown large potential in water treatment because of its low cost, good textural properties, and high reusability. In this study, two porous biochars were developed from the seeds via direct pyrolysis process (B-700) and through hydrothermal carbonization followed with pyrolysis (HB-700). They were characterized by morphology, structural characteristics, and surface features and used to adsorb the crystal violet (CV) dye in water environment.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFWater contaminated by cytostatic drugs has many negative impacts on the ecosystems. In this work, cross-linked adsorbent beads based on alginate and a geopolymer (prepared from an illito-kaolinitic clay) were developed for a promising decontamination of the 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) cytostatic drug from water samples. The characterization of the prepared geopolymer and its hybrid derivative was performed by scanning electron microscopy, X-ray diffraction, Fourier transform infrared and termogravimetric analysis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFThis work aimed to develop innovative material by combining properties of magnetic-biochar (derived from peanut shells) and hydrogel bead (MBA-bead) and apply it for adsorbing Cu in water. MBA-bead was synthesized by physical cross-linking methods. Results indicated that MBA-bead contained ∼90% water.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFA potential biochar from pepper stems (PS-biochar) was developed via a one-stage pyrolysis process of precursor at 700 °C and employed to adsorb ibuprofen (IBP) in water media. Results showed that PS-biochar was a carbonaceous mesoporous adsorbent with well-developed porosity (S = 727.5 m/g and V = 0.
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