Evaluación de la remoción de plomo y mercurio de aguas sintéticas utilizando zeolitas hidrotermales sintetizadas en pruebas de laboratorio y propuesta de diseño sistemas de adsorción industriales

Abstract

The aim of this research is to evaluate the removal efficiency of lead and mercury using Sodalite and Zeolite A synthetized by the hydrothermal method. To establish the optimal synthesis method for each zeolite, tests were carried out varying the temperature and stirring time, Si/Al molar ratios, silicon precursors and the effects of the zeolite calcination. The characterization of each test was carried out by X-ray diffraction.

Subsequently, lead and mercury removal tests were carried out under different pH conditions for a time of 8 hours in synthetic effluents with an initial concentration of each pollutant of 10 mg7l. At pH 7, Sodalite removes 93,59 and 99,72 % of mercury and lead, respectively. On the other hand, Zeolite A removes 88,91 and 90,4 % of mercury and lead, respectively.

Additionally, the design of two industrial adsorption systems was developed: one using a fixed bed and the other using a stirred bed with a capacity of 43,2 and 15 m3/day respectively. Finally, an economic analysis was performed by comparing it with other conventional heavy metal removal techniques at an industrial level.