Abstract
Removal of Fe++ by adsorption on sludge-polymer hybrid adsorbents was studied. Sludge was collected from domestic disposal wastewater. Thermal treatment of sludge particles was carried out at 200, 400 and 600 degrees C to improve adsorption capacity. Polyvinylidene fluoride (PVDF) commercial polymer was mixed with the sludge in different mass ratios. Surface morphology and chemical structure of treated sludge were investigated using SEM and FTIR. Parameters studied are initial concentration of Fe++, contact time, sludge dose, heat treatment of the sludge, and sludge/polymer mixing ratio. Within the present range of studied parameters the removal efficiency of Fe++ increases with increasing sludge dose. Increasing initial concentration of Fe++ from 50 to 100 ppm increases the removal efficiency by a factor of maximum of 1.73. Further increasing in concentration from 100 to 150 ppm leads to decrease in removal efficiency up to 43%. Sludge-PVDF hybrid adsorbent improved removal efficiency up to 63.6%. Experimental data fits to Freundlich linear model. The mechanism of adsorption of Fe++ by sludge adsorbent was found to take place through a monolayer and heterogeneous surface.
Potential applications of the present data in removing heavy metals from industrial waste solutions were highlighted.