Next Article in Journal
The Experience of Do-Not-Resuscitate Orders and End-of-Life Care Discussions among Physicians
Next Article in Special Issue
Graphene Oxide–ZnO Nanocomposites for Removal of Aluminum and Copper Ions from Acid Mine Drainage Wastewater
Previous Article in Journal
How Older People Experience the Age-Friendliness of Their City: Development of the Age-Friendly Cities and Communities Questionnaire
 
 
Font Type:
Arial Georgia Verdana
Font Size:
Aa Aa Aa
Line Spacing:
Column Width:
Background:
Article

Estimation on Fixed-Bed Column Parameters of Breakthrough Behaviors for Gold Recovery by Adsorption onto Modified/Functionalized Amberlite XAD7

1
Faculty of Industrial Chemistry and Environmental Engineering, Politehnica University Timisoara, Bd. V. Parvan No. 6, 300223 Timisoara, Romania
2
Research Institute for Renewable Energy of the Politehnica University Timisoara, 138 Musicescu Street, 300774 Timisoara, Romania
*
Authors to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17(18), 6868; https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17186868
Submission received: 17 August 2020 / Revised: 10 September 2020 / Accepted: 18 September 2020 / Published: 20 September 2020
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Environmental Chemistry and Technology)

Abstract

:
The objective of this paper was to evaluate the potential of a new adsorbent material to recover Au (III) from real wastewater, in a column with a fixed bed in a dynamic regime. The material was obtained through functionalization, by impregnation of the commercial resin, Amberlite XAD 7 type, with L-glutamic acid, which has active groups –NH2 and –COOH. The goal of the experiments was to follow the correlation of fixed-bed column specific adsorption parameters (the effluent volume, the amounts of adsorbent, heights of the adsorbent layer in column) with the time necessary to cross the column. The experimental data obtained were modeled, using the Bohart–Adams, Yoon–Nelson Thomas and Clark models, to establish the mechanism of the Au (III) recovery process, in a dynamic regime. Also, we established the number of cycles for adsorption–desorption for which the new material can be used. We used 5% HNO3 (5%) as desorption agent in five adsorption–desorption cycles, until the process was no longer efficient. The degree of desorption varied between 84% and 34% from cycle 1 to cycle 5.

1. Introduction

Adsorption is defined as a process determined by increasing a specific compound concentration at the interface of two phases [1]. In a first stage, the compounds from the solution are transported from one phase to another and, subsequently, they adhere to the surface. The process is complex and depends on the chemistry of the surface or the sorbent and sorbate nature, as well as the nature of the solid–liquid system. Thus, adsorption of metal ions from wastewater is a cheap, efficient, non-toxic and environmentally friendly process [2,3].
There are two types of adsorption processes with good efficiency: adsorption in batch system and column adsorption. In the batch system, adsorption takes place between the two liquid–solid phases, where the solid phase moves continuously along with the liquid phase. The main advantages of this process are: (i) the adsorbent and the adsorbate are constantly mixed and the volume of the solution is constant; (ii) is an easy and economical method, being used in many studies. The disadvantage of this technique is that, in industry, it is not recommended to work with small amounts of adsorbent material. This makes it difficult to remove and/or recover a small amount of metal ions.
Among the adsorption processes in the column, the adsorption in a fixed bed presents some important advantages: (i) the process is continuous because the adsorbent is continuously in contact with the adsorbent; (ii) it is simple and has low costs; (iii) it can be used on an industrial scale. The disadvantages of the fixed-bed column process are: during the adsorption process, preferential routes can be formed, the adsorption being non-uniform; and the concentration profiles vary in space and time, which makes it very difficult to optimize and design the technique without a quantitative approach [4,5].
Gold is a precious, anticorrosive, ductile, highly malleable metal, with unique physical and chemical properties used in the electrical and electronic industry as well as in the manufacture of jewelry and coins [6,7,8].
Besides the adsorption process, there are a variety of Au (III) recovery methods, including: mechanical separation, hydrometallurgy, biohydrometallurgy [9,10,11,12], cementation, coagulation, solvent extraction, ion exchange, gravitational separation, flotation [8]. These methods have a number of disadvantages: (i) large amounts of sludge are generated; (ii) strongly acidic or basic solutions are used; (iii) if algae, bacteria and fungi (which have the ability to accumulate gold) are used, their multiplication must be controlled; (iv) the gold obtained has impurities requiring its purification; (v) a high cost of the operation [13,14,15,16,17].
Given the increasing number of environmental accidents due to the application of these gold-recovery technologies, scientists are looking for environmentally friendly technologies, such as adsorption [18]. The recovery process only makes sense if the cost of recovery is much lower than the value of the recovered gold. In addition, the restrictions imposed by waste management and strict environmental regulations require that the technological options chosen for gold recovery be economically viable and environmentally friendly. The advantage of adsorption is that gold can be recovered in small quantities from either primary or secondary solutions. Adsorption is easy to apply and if the adsorbent material is well chosen, it can have efficiencies that should not be neglected [19,20,21,22,23,24].
Regarding the recovery of Au (III), the adsorption process is the most suitable, the adsorbing properties of the material used being very important. The active groups from the adsorbent structure play an important role because they have the ability to bind by complexation, ionic bonds, hydrogen bond or electrostatic attraction.
This paper aims to recover Au (III) from solutions generated by the galvanic coating stage within the process of obtaining printed circuit boards (PCBs) used in electronic circuits. The recovery of Au (III) in this case is achieved by adsorption in dynamic regime, in the column with a fixed bed. Thus, the aim is to establish the Au (III) recovery mechanism by adsorption in a dynamic regime, in fixed-bed column, using a newly obtained material by functionalization by the solvent impregnated resin—SIR method [25] of a cheap, commercial resin, Amberlite XAD7 with L-glutamic acid, whose pending groups are –NH2 and –COOH. The material is selective, relatively inexpensive, environmentally friendly, adsorbent, and was used with good results for recovering gold from dilute solutions in a batch system [26]. At the same time, the number of adsorption–desorption cycles at which the new material can be used was established.

2. Materials and Methods

The surface morphology of the material obtained according to the information presented in the specialized literature [26] was studied using a scanning electron microscope Quanta FEG 250 at 500× magnitude. Adsorption experiments were realized in a dynamic regime, in a fixed-bed column. The initial concentration of Au (III) on the wastewater was 60 (mg L−1), being obtained by the dilution of a residual solution from cyanide baths, with an Au (III) concentration of approximately 2000 (mg L−1). Dilution was necessary to avoid rapid depletion of the adsorbent material, but also to highlight the fact that even in smaller quantities, Au (III) can be recovered with good efficiency. For the dynamic adsorption of Au (III) a column with a diameter of 2 cm and a length of 30 cm was used. The wastewater was pumped at the top of the column using a peristaltic pump (Heidolph SP quick) with a flow rate of 10 (mL min−1) and crossed in a downstream direction through the material obtained from the commercial resin of the Amberlite XAD7 type functionalized by impregnation with L-glutamic acid (XAD7-AcG). The column was loaded, sequentially, with layers of different material heights (10, 5 and 3 cm) equivalent to different masses of material (10, 5 and 3 g). Figure 1 shows the scheme of experimental installation used for Au (III) removal in the fixed-bed adsorption column. The flow in the column is kept constant and the discharge flow rate is adjusted so that its adsorption takes place as a stationary dynamic process and the adsorbent material in the column remains continuously covered with solution.
Samples of 25 mL were taken from the effluent at certain intervals. The residual concentration of Au (III) was determined by atomic absorption spectrophotometry, using a Varian SpectrAA 110 atomic absorption spectrophotometer.
In order to determine the number of adsorption–desorption cycles at which the new adsorbent material can be used, after each adsorption cycle (for sample with amount of adsorbent 10 g and the Au (III) initial concentration of solution 60 mg g−1), the desorption was performed by introducing into the column as eluent HNO3 5%, with a flow rate of 8 (mL min−1).

3. Results and Discussion

3.1. XAD7-AcG Material Caracterization

Figure 2 illustrate the surface morphology of the XAD7-AcG material before and after impregnation with L-glutamic acid. After impregnation, morphological changes specific to the presence of L-glutamic acid appear on the surface of Amberlite XAD7 particles.
Resin surface functionalization has also been demonstrated by other physico-chemical methods such as Fourier-transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and energy-dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (EDX) in another previous study [26]. EDX reveals the presence of a small amount of nitrogen (5.83%), specific for the NH2 group and the FT-IR spectrum highlighted the presence of powerful vibrations specific to the Amberlite XAD7 support and L-glutamic acid respectively.

3.2. Fixed-Bed Column Adsorption Studies

3.2.1. Mass Transfer Zone

During the adsorption process, a large number of metal ions are concentrated on the surface of the adsorbent material, respectively at the interface between the two phases, with an accumulation process taking place. The adsorption of the metal ions on the adsorbent is realized with maximum efficiency if: (i) the transport of the metal ions to the surface of the immobile layer is adequate, transport that can be realized by diffusion or dispersion; (ii) the metal ion transfer occurs at the level of the adsorbent interface; (iii) intraparticle diffusion takes place by moving the solution ions into the adsorbent pores [27].
The performances of the adsorption process in the fixed-bed column are highlighted by the study of the breakthrough curves [28,29], which means following the evolution of the ratio between the residual concentration of Au (III) and its initial concentration (Crez/C0) according to the volume of effluent passed through the column, for three distinct quantities of material, respectively 3, 5 and 10 g (Figure 3).
Figure 4 shows the case of the column in which 3000 mL of wastewater, with an Au (III) concentration of 60 (mg L−1), were passed over 10 g of XAD7-AcG material. The mass transfer zone (MTZ) is the active surface of the XAD7-AcG material where the Au (III) adsorption takes place. The waste solution Au (III) passes over a new and unused material. At the top of the column, XAD7-AcG material adsorbs Au (III) ions as soon as they come into contact; the area is called the primary sorption zone (PSZ) being delimited between the residual concentration of Au (III) at time 1 (one), C1, and the residual concentration of Au (III) at time t, Ct. Thus, the first part of the liquid that is collected is without Au (III) ions, which means in this area the residual concentration of Au (III) tends towards zero. As the volume of Au (III) solution passing through the column increases, an adsorption zone begins to be defined in which mass transfer (MTZ) occurs. In this area, the adsorption process is complete, the concentration of Au (III) ions varies from the initial concentration (60 mg L−1) to zero, the saturation of the adsorbent material being total. This adsorption area extends over the entire height of the column depending on the contact time. The residual concentration at a given time, Crez, is zero and therefore the ratio Crez/C0 is zero. When the residual solution passes through the whole layer of the adsorbent material, reaching its lower part, the Au (III) ions can no longer be completely adsorbed due to the saturation of the material. This moment is called the breakpoint moment and the surface obtained corresponds to the breakpoint curve. After a while, the column is completely saturated or exhausted and the adsorption of Au (III) is no longer performed. In this case the Crez/C0 ratio is 1 (one) [30,31,32].

3.2.2. Adsorption Models for Column Study

The important parameters for evaluating the efficiency of an adsorbent material used in a dynamic regime are: the flow of the effluent in the column, the height of the fixed layer, and the contact time [1,33].
In the adsorption column, phenomena of axial dispersion, external resistance of the film and resistance to intraparticle diffusion can appear. Thus, the mathematical correlation of axial dispersion, mass transfer and intraparticle diffusion is rendered by mathematical models. In order to determine the adsorption mechanism of Au (III) and to design the adsorption process in a dynamic regime it is necessary to know the evolution of the residual concentration of the effluent in time. In this case, four models can be used, namely the Adams–Bohart, Yoon–Nelson, Thomas and Clark models to analyze the breakthrough curves and for the prediction of dynamic nature of the column [34].
The Bohart–Adams Model [35] is used to describe the first part of the column breakpoint curve. The Bohart–Adams equation is linearly expressed as:
ln ( C t C 0 ) = k B A C 0 t k B A N 0 Z F
where: C0—is the influent concentration, (mg L−1); Ct—is the effluent concentration, (mg L−1); t—is time, (min); kBA—is the kinetic constant of the Bohart-Adam model, (L mg−1 min−1); F—is the linear velocity calculated by dividing the flow rate by the column section area, (cm min−1); Z—is the bed height of column, (cm); N0—is the saturation concentration, (mg L−1).
In Figure 5, the dependence ln (Ct/C0) = f(time) was plotted. The results show that with the increase of the material layer height, respectively with the increase of the amount of material, there is a decrease of the N0 value, but also an increase of the kBA value. The obtained regression coefficients R2 show that the model is not the most suitable to describe the mechanism of the dynamic adsorption process of Au (III) on the XAD7-AcG material [36].
The Yoon–Nelson Model [37] is generally adopted to describe the breakpoint curve. It is a model used especially for the single component system and does not require information about the adsorbent, such as type, physical properties or other characteristics.
The Yoon–Nelson equation is linearly expressed as:
ln ( C t C 0 C t ) = k Y N t τ k Y N
where: Ct—is the solution concentration at time t, (mg L−1); C0—is initial solution concentration, (mg L−1); kYN—is the rate constant, (min−1); τ—is the time required for 50% adsorbate breakthrough, (min).
The parameters τ and kYN can be obtained from the plot of the function ln [Ct/(C0 − Ct)] = f(time), (Figure 6). It is observed that with the increase of the height of adsorbent layer the time required to breakthrough increases, but not in direct proportion with the adsorbent layer height. The experimental data show that the most efficient layer is the one in which 5 g of adsorbent material is used, because when the adsorbent mass doubles, τ does not become double. This fact may be due to the higher probability of preferential drainage channels occurring with the increasing amount of adsorbent material. The regression coefficient R2 is closer to 1, but we cannot say that the adsorption process mechanism is described in the best way by this model [34].
The Thomas model [38] is the most commonly used model to describe the adsorption column performance and to establish breakthrough curves. It is frequently used to determine the adsorption capacity of the material. The Thomas equation is linearly expressed as:
ln ( C 0 C t 1 ) = k T h q T h m Q k T h C 0 t
where: C0—is the solution concentration in the influent, (mg L−1); Ct—is the solution concentration at time t in the effluent, (mg L−1); kTh—is the Thomas rate constant, (L min−1 mg−1); qTh—is the equilibrium compounds uptake per g of the resin, (mg g−1); m—is the mass of adsorbent resin, (g); Q—is he flow rate, (mL min−1).
From the plot of ln [C0/(Ct − 1)] = f(t) are determined kTh and qTh (Figure 7). From the results obtained, it can be seen that the constant kTh decreases as the adsorbent layer height in the column increases, due to the adsorption driving force given by the difference between the concentration of Au (III) adsorbed on the material and the Au (III) concentration in the solution [39,40,41].
At the same time, it is observed that the regression coefficient R2 decreases, but the values are close to 1 and the adsorption capacity has about the same value, about 13 (mg g−1).
Another model reported in the literature for the adsorption study in the column is the Clark model. The main assumption of this model is the use of a mass-transfer concept in combination with the Freundlich isotherm [1,42,43].
The linearized expression of the Clark model is:
ln ( ( C 0 C t ) n 1 1 ) = ln A r t
where: C0—is the solution concentration in the influent, (mg L−1); Ct—is the solution concentration at time t in the effluent, (mg L−1); n—is the Freundlich constant determined experimentally in batch; r—is the Clark model constant, (min−1); A—is the Clark model constant.
A previous batch adsorption study showed that the Freundlich constant was n = 2.5 [26]. This value was used in the Clark model to estimate the model parameters for the Au (III) adsorption. The value of r and A parameters were evaluated by the slope and intercept of the linearized equation of the Clark model (Figure 8). The obtained correlation coefficients have good values (R2 > 0.97) for all the amounts of material studied. The increase of amounts of material leads to decrease of parameter r value and to increase of value of A parameter.
The difference in the models was based on the set parameters, not on matching the experimental data. Column parameters of all tested models for the adsorption process in dynamic regime are presented in Table 1. It can be observed that all the applied four models fitted to a satisfactory extent the variation in the amount of adsorbent, respectively, the variation of the material layer height. All models have shown good values of the correlation coefficient which suggests their validity in this investigation. Additionally, in the case of the Thomas model, the adsorption capacity has about the same value for all the amounts of adsorbent used, about 13 (mg g−1). Therefore, it can be assumed that this model best describes the mechanism of the adsorption process in a dynamic regime [41].
Maximum adsorption capacities of previously studied adsorbents for Au (III) recovery are presented in Table 2. The value of this parameter is comparable to those previously reported in the literature, even higher than other similar adsorbents.
The mechanism of Au (III) recovery by adsorption is that in most cases ionic species come into contact with the solid surface of the material with adsorbent properties. Adsorption is determined by Van der Waals forces, which are manifested between the material with adsorbent properties and the Au (III) ion. The predominant species at pH = 2 is AuCl4. This species does not adsorb to the XAD7-AcG surface in a certain position, but moves freely, by translation, at the interface. In the aqueous solution there are three types of interaction considered competitive, namely: (i) the interaction between Au (III) ions and water; (ii) the interaction between Au (III) ions and the surface of the material with adsorbent properties and (iii) the interaction between water and the surface of the XAD7-AcG material. The efficiency of the physical adsorption process is determined by the strength of the metal ion–adsorbent surface interactions compared to the strength of the surface adsorbent–water interactions.

3.3. Desorption Studies

Very important for an adsorbent material is the number of adsorption–desorption cycles to which it can be subjected. The profitability, feasibility and sustainability of an adsorption process is essentially influenced by the regeneration possibilities of the adsorbent material. The desorption studies prove the practical applicability of the adsorption process, regarding the reuse of the fixed layer of adsorbent material in the column, after exhaustion [37,49].
In this study, HNO3 5% as desorption agent was used in five adsorption–desorption cycles. The results presented in Figure 9 and Figure 10 indicate that, with the increase of the adsorption–desorption cycles numbers there are subsequent losses in the adsorbent mass, so that the degree of desorption varies between 84% and 34% from cycle 1 to cycle 5.
Au(III) remaining on the adsorbent material, after the 5 cycles of adsorption–desorption, can be recovered in metallic form by calcination, at 873 K for 240 min, at a heating rate of 5 K/min, using controlled air oven furnaces, removing the organic part and with only the metal remaining, according to some previous studies [26].
A simple cost estimate (taking into account the price of gold on the market) led to the conclusion that for 100 g of adsorbent material, used in 5 cycles of adsorption–desorption and then calcined, the profit would be about 125 euros.

4. Conclusions

In this paper, the recovery of Au (III) ions from used solutions resulting from galvanic coating processes, by adsorption, in dynamic regime, using a fixed-bed column, was studied. The adsorbent was a new material obtained by impregnation of a commercial resin, Amberlite XAD7, with L-glutamic acid, which has in its structure functional groups of –NH2 and –COOH. In order to establish the mechanism of the dynamic adsorption process, the experimental data were modeled using the Bohart–Adams, Yoon–Nelson, Thomas and Clark models.
The Thomas model best describes the recovery process of Au (III) by adsorption in dynamic regime. The effluent flow rate, the column height, the material mass in the column and the time required to break through the column were taken into account.
The XAD7-AcG adsorbent material can be used in five adsorption–desorption cycles, until the process is no longer efficient. The Au (III) retained in the absorbent material can be recovered by calcination, removing the organic part and leaving only the metal [14]. The adsorption capacity of the XAD7-AcG adsorbent material is large enough for the Au (III) recovery process to be cost effective.

Author Contributions

Conceptualization, A.N., M.M., M.C., V.M.; Methodology, A.N., M.M.; Software, V.M., G.M.; Validation, A.N., P.N., N.D.; Formal Analysis, A.N., N.D., G.M.; Investigation, A.N., M.M., M.C., V.M.; Resources, A.N., P.N.; Writing—Original Draft Preparation, A.N., M.C.; Writing—Review and Editing, A.N., G.M.; Visualization, A.N., N.D., P.N.; Supervision, A.N.; Project Administration, A.N., M.C.; Funding Acquisition, A.N. All authors have read and agreed to the published version of the manuscript.

Funding

This work was supported by a grant of the Romanian Minister of Research and Innovation, project number 10PFE/16.10.2018, PERFORM-TECH-UPT—The increasing of the institutional performance of the Polytechnic University of Timisoara by strengthening the research, development and technological transfer capacity in the field of “Energy, Environment and Climate Change”, within Program 1—Development of the national system of Research and Development, Subprogram 1.2—Institutional Performance—Institutional Development Projects—Excellence Funding Projects in RDI, PNCDI III”.

Conflicts of Interest

The authors declare no conflict of interest.

References

  1. Patel, H. Fixed-bed column adsorption study: A comprehensive review. Appl. Water. Sci. 2019, 9, 45. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  2. Dabrowski, A. Adsorption—From theory to practice. Adv. Colloid Interface Sci. 2001, 93, 135–224. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  3. Selim, K.A.; Youssef, M.A.; Abd El-Rahiem, F.H.; Hassan, M.S. Dye removal using some surface modified silicate minerals. Int. J. Min. Sci. Technol. 2014, 24, 183–189. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  4. Kafshgari, F.; Keshtkar, A.R.; Mousavian, M.A. Study of Mo (VI) removal from aqueous solution: Application of different mathematical models to continuous biosorption data. Iran. J. Environ. Health Sci. Eng. 2013, 10, 14. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  5. Miralles, N.; Valderrama, C.; Casas, I.; Martınez, M.; Florido, A. Cadmium and Lead Removal from Aqueous Solution by Grape Stalk Wastes: Modeling of a Fixed-Bed Column. J. Chem. Eng. Data 2010, 55, 3548–3554. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  6. Ramesh, A.; Hasegawa, H.; Sugimoto, W.; Maki, T.; Ueda, K. Adsorption of gold(III), platinum(IV) and palladium(II) onto glycine modified crosslinked chitosan resin. Bioresour. Technol. 2008, 99, 3801–3809. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  7. Spitzer, M.; Rodnei, B. Selective electrochemical recovery of gold and silver from cyanide aqueous effluents using titanium and vitreous carbon cathodes. Hydrometallurgy 2004, 74, 233–242. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  8. Syed, S. Recovery of gold from secondary sources—A review. Hydrometallurgy 2012, 115–116, 30–51. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  9. Cui, J.; Zhang, L. Metallurgical recovery of metals from electronic waste: A review. J. Hazard. Mater. 2008, 158, 228–256. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  10. Fleming, C.A. Hydrometallurgy of precious metals recovery. Hydrometallurgy 1992, 30, 127–162. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  11. Rhee, K.I.; Lee, J.C.; Lee, C.K.; Joo, K.H.; Yoon, J.K.; Kang, H.R.; Kim, Y.S.; Sohn, H.J. A Recovery of Gold from Electronic Scrap by Mechanical Separation, Acid Leaching and Electrowinning. In Recycling Metals and Engineered Materials; Queneau, P.B., Peterson, R.D., Eds.; TMS Publication: Pittsburgh, PA, USA, 1995; pp. 469–478. [Google Scholar]
  12. Yap, C.Y.; Mohamed, N. An electro-generative process for the recovery of gold from cyanide solutions. Chemosphere 2007, 67, 1502–1510. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  13. Hoffmann, J.E. Recovering precious metals from electronic scrap. J. Miner. Metall. Mater. Soc. 1992, 44, 43–48. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  14. Lee, J.C.; Song, H.T.; Yoo, J.M. Present status of the recycling of waste electrical and electronic equipment in Korea. Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 2007, 50, 380–397. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  15. Mack, C.; Wilhelmi, B.; Duncan, J.R.; Burgess, J.E. Biosorption of precious metals. Biotechnol. Adv. 2007, 25, 264–271. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  16. Safarzadeh, M.S.; Bafghi, M.S.; Moradkhani, D.; Ilkhchi, M.O. A review on hydrometallurgical extraction and recovery of cadmium from various resources. Miner. Eng. 2007, 20, 211–220. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  17. Sum, E.Y.L. The Recovery of Metals from Electronic Scrap. J. Miner. Metall. Mater. Soc. 1991, 43, 53–61. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  18. Jafari, S.; Wilson, B.P.; Hakalahti, M.; Tammelin, T.; Kontturi, E.; Lundstrom, M.; Sillanpaa, M. Recovery of Gold from Chloride Solution by TEMPO-Oxidized Cellulose Nanofiber Adsorbent. Sustainability 2019, 11, 1406. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  19. Li, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Zhou, Y.; Lei, J.; Pu, S. Cyclodextrin modified filter paper for removal of cationic dyes/Cu ions from aqueous solutions. Water Sci. Technol. 2018, 78, 2553–2563. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  20. Liu, Q.; Zhou, Y.; Lu, J.; Zhou, Y. Novel cyclodextrin-based adsorbents for removing pollutants from wastewater: A critical review. Chemosphere 2020, 241, 125043. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  21. Syed, S. A green technology for recovery of gold from non-metallic secondary sources. Hydrometallurgy 2006, 82, 48–53. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  22. Vences-Alvarez, E.; Razo-Flores, E.; Lazaro, I.; Briones-Gallardo, R.; Velasco-Martinez, G.; Rangel-Mendez, R. Gold recovery from very dilute solutions from a mine in closing process: Adsorption-desorption onto carbon materials. J. Mol. Liq. 2017, 240, 549–555. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  23. Bui, T.H.; Lee, W.; Jeon, S.B.; Kim, K.W.; Lee, Y. Enhanced Gold(III) adsorption using glutaraldehyde-crosslinked chitosan beads: Effect of crosslinking degree on adsorption selectivity, capacity, and mechanism. Sep. Purif. Technol. 2020, 248, 116989. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  24. Yi, Q.; Fan, R.; Xie, F.; Min, H.; Zhang, Q.; Luo, Z. Selective Recovery of Au(III) and Pd(II) from Waste PCBs Using Ethylenediamine Modified Persimmon Tannin Adsorbent. Procedia Environ. Sci. 2016, 31, 185–194. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  25. Cortina, J.L.; Warshawsky, A. Developments in Solid-Liquid Extraction by Solvent-Impregnated Resins. In Ion Exchange and Solvent Extraction; Marinsky, J.A., Marcus, Y., Eds.; Marcel Dekker Inc.: New York, NY, USA, 1997; pp. 195–293. [Google Scholar]
  26. Mihailescu, M.; Negrea, A.; Ciopec, M.; Davidescu, C.M.; Negrea, P.; Duteanu, N.; Rusu, G. Gold (III) adsorption from dilute waste solutions onto Amberlite XAD7 resin modified with L-glutamic acid. Sci. Rep. 2019, 9, 8757. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
  27. Vasanth Kumar, K.; Subanandam, K.; Bhagavanulu, D.V.S. Making GAC sorption economy. Pollut. Res. 2004, 23, 439–444. [Google Scholar]
  28. Gupta, V.K.; Ali, I. Environmental Water: Advances in Treatment, Remediation and Recycling; Elsevier: Amsterdam, The Netherlands, 2013. [Google Scholar]
  29. Crittenden, B.; Thomas, W.J. Adsorption Technology and Design; Butterworth-Heinemann: Oxford, UK, 1998. [Google Scholar]
  30. Chowdhury, Z.Z.; Zain, S.M.; Rashid, A.K.; Rafique, R.F.; Khalid, K. Breakthrough Curve Analysis for Column Dynamics Sorption of Mn(II) Ions from Wastewater by Using Mangostana garcinia Peel-Based Granular-Activated Carbon. J. Chem. 2013, 2013, 959761. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  31. Hasanzadeh, M.; Ansari, R.; Ostovar, F. Synthesis and application of CeO2/sawdust nanocomposite for removal of As(III) ions from aqueous solutions using a fixed bed column system. Glob. NEST J. 2016, 19, 7–16. [Google Scholar]
  32. Shafeeyan, M.S.; Daud, W.M.A.W.; Shamiri, A. A review of mathematical modeling of fixed-bed columns for carbon dioxide adsorption. Chem. Eng. Res. Des. 2014, 92, 961–988. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  33. Yang, Q.; Zhong, Y.; Li, X.; Li, X.; Luo, K.; Wua, X.; Chen, H.; Liu, Y.; Zeng, G. Adsorption-coupled reduction of bromate by Fe(II)–Al(III) layered double hydroxide in fixed-bed column: Experimental and breakthrough curves analysis. J. Ind. Eng. Chem. 2015, 28, 54–59. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  34. Han, R.; Wang, Y.; Zhao, X.; Wang, Y.; Xie, F.; Cheng, J. Adsorption of methylene blue by phoenix tree leaf powder in a fixed-bed column: Experiments and prediction of breakthrough curves. Desalination 2009, 245, 284–297. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  35. Bohart, G.S.; Adams, E.Q. Some aspects of the behavior of charcoal with respect to chlorine. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1920, 42, 523–544. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  36. Woumfo, E.D.; Siewe, J.M.; Njopwouo, D. A fixed-bed column for phosphate removal from aqueous solutions using an andosol-bagasse mixture. J. Environ. Manag. 2015, 151, 450–460. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  37. Vilvanathan, S.; Shanthakumar, S. Column adsorption studies on nickel and cobalt removal from aqueous solution using native and biochar form of Tectona grandis. Environ. Prog. Sustain. 2017, 36, 1030–1038. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  38. Thomas, H.C. Heterogeneous Ion Exchange in a Flowing System. J. Am. Chem. Soc. 1944, 66, 1664–1667. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  39. Han, R.; Zhang, J.; Zou, W.; Xiao, H.; Shi, J.; Liu, H. Biosorption of copper(II) and lead(II) from aqueous solution by chaff in a fixed-bed column. J. Hazard. Mater. 2006, 133, 262–268. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  40. Han, R.; Wang, Y.; Zou, W.; Wang, Y.; Shi, J. Comparison of linear and nonlinear analysis in estimating the Thomas model parameters for methylene blue adsorption onto natural zeolite in fixed-bed column. J. Hazard. Mater. 2007, 145, 331–335. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
  41. Mondal, S.; Aikat, K.; Halder, G. Ranitidine hydrochloride sorption onto superheated steam activated biochar derived from mung bean husk in fixed bed column. J. Environ. Chem. Eng. 2016, 4, 488–497. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  42. Dlugosz, O.; Banach, M. Sorption of Ag+ and Cu2+ by Vermiculite in a Fixed-Bed Column: Design, Process Optimization and Dynamics Investigations. Appl. Sci. 2018, 8, 2221. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  43. Madan, S.S.; De, B.S.; Wasewar, K.L. Adsorption performance of packed bed column for benzylformic acid removal using CaO2 nanoparticles. Chem. Data Collect. 2019, 23, 100267. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  44. Santos, N.T.; Landers, R.; da Silva, M.G.C.; Vieira, M.G.A. Adsorption of Gold Ions onto Sericin and Alginate Particles Chemically Crosslinked by Proanthocyanidins: A Complete Fixed-Bed Column Study. Ind. Eng. Chem. Res. 2020, 59, 318–328. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  45. Wasikiewicz, J.M.; Nagasawa, N.; Tamada, M.; Mitomo, H.; Yoshii, F. Adsorption of metal ions by carboxymethylchitin and carboxymethylchitosan hydrogels. Nucl. Instrum. Methods Phys. Res. B 2005, 236, 617–623. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  46. Tsolele, R.; Mtunzi, F.M.; Klink, M.J.; Pakade, V.E. An alternative low-cost adsorbent for gold recovery from cyanide-leached liquors: Adsorption isotherm and kinetic studies. Adsorp. Sci. Technol. 2018, 37, 3–23. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [Green Version]
  47. Calderon, A.R.M.; Alorro, R.D.; Tadesse, B.; Yoo, K.; Tabelin, C.B. Repurposing of nickeliferous pyrrhotite from mine tailings as magnetic adsorbent for the recovery of gold from chloride solution. Resour. Conserv. Recycl. 2020, 161, 104971. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  48. Pangeni, B.; Paudyal, H.; Inoue, K.; Kawakita, H.; Ohto, K.; Alam, S. Selective recovery of gold(III) using cotton cellulose treated with concentrated sulfuric acid. Cellulose 2012, 19, 381–391. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
  49. Abdolali, A.; Ngo, H.H.; Guo, W.; Zhou, J.L.; Zhang, J.; Liang, S.; Chang, S.W.; Nguyen, D.D.; Liu, Y. Application of a breakthrough biosorbent for removing heavy metals from synthetic and real wastewaters in a lab-scale continuous fixed-bed column. Bioresour. Technol. 2017, 229, 78–87. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed] [Green Version]
Figure 1. The scheme of experimental installation used for Au (III) removal in a fixed-bed adsorption column.
Figure 1. The scheme of experimental installation used for Au (III) removal in a fixed-bed adsorption column.
Ijerph 17 06868 g001
Figure 2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for XAD 7-AcG material: (a) before impregnation; (b) after impregnation.
Figure 2. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) for XAD 7-AcG material: (a) before impregnation; (b) after impregnation.
Ijerph 17 06868 g002
Figure 3. Breakthrough curves on Au (III) removal in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Figure 3. Breakthrough curves on Au (III) removal in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Ijerph 17 06868 g003
Figure 4. A representation of the breakthrough curve with mass transfer zone (MTZ) at an amount of 10g adsorbent material inserted in the column.
Figure 4. A representation of the breakthrough curve with mass transfer zone (MTZ) at an amount of 10g adsorbent material inserted in the column.
Ijerph 17 06868 g004
Figure 5. Bohart–Adams plots for the adsorption of Au (III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Figure 5. Bohart–Adams plots for the adsorption of Au (III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Ijerph 17 06868 g005
Figure 6. Yoon–Nelson plots for the adsorption of Au(III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Figure 6. Yoon–Nelson plots for the adsorption of Au(III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Ijerph 17 06868 g006
Figure 7. Thomas plots for the adsorption of Au (III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Figure 7. Thomas plots for the adsorption of Au (III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Ijerph 17 06868 g007
Figure 8. Clark plots for the adsorption of Au (III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Figure 8. Clark plots for the adsorption of Au (III) in the fixed-bed column, at various amounts of adsorbent material.
Ijerph 17 06868 g008
Figure 9. Desorption curves of Au (III) adsorbed on XAD7-AcG (10 g amounts), in five adsorption–desorption cycles.
Figure 9. Desorption curves of Au (III) adsorbed on XAD7-AcG (10 g amounts), in five adsorption–desorption cycles.
Ijerph 17 06868 g009
Figure 10. Comparative desorption degree of HNO3 5%, as desorption agent, to elute Au (III) ions from XAD7-AcG adsorbent material, in consecutive cycles.
Figure 10. Comparative desorption degree of HNO3 5%, as desorption agent, to elute Au (III) ions from XAD7-AcG adsorbent material, in consecutive cycles.
Ijerph 17 06868 g010
Table 1. Au (III) adsorption process parameters on fixed bed column.
Table 1. Au (III) adsorption process parameters on fixed bed column.
Column Parameters
Bohart-Adams ModelMaterial Amount (g)KB-A (L mg−1 min−1)N0 (mg L−1)R2
108.6 × 10−41099.60.9644
57.5 × 10−41141.90.9747
37.4 × 10−41146.20.9503
Yoon-Nelson ModelMaterial Amount (g)KY-N (min−1)Τ (min)R2
100.0633320.230.9806
50.0565159.20.9854
30.025397.090.9683
Thomas ModelMaterial Amount (g)KTh (L mg−1 min−1)qTh (mg g−1)R2
101.02 × 10−313.3760.9836
51.05 × 10−313.3790.9896
31.56 × 10−313.5200.9647
Clark ModelMaterial Amount (g)r (min−1)AR2
100.047168.5 × 10−50.9738
50.066170.9 × 10−30.9894
30.109182.4 × 10−30.9774
Table 2. Maximum adsorption capacities of previously studied adsorbents.
Table 2. Maximum adsorption capacities of previously studied adsorbents.
AdsorbentAdsorption Capacity (mg g−1)Reference
Sericin andalginate particle-based adsorbent SAPAS57.91[44]
Amberlite XAD7 type functionalized with L-glutamic acid (XAD7-AcG).13.5This study
Carboxymethyl chitin11.86[45]
Macadamia-activated carbon (MAC)9.13[46]
Magnetic nickeliferous pyrrhotite6.9[47]
Cotton cellulose1.22 *[48]
Activated carbon F4000.25 **[22]
* Original report is 6.21 (mmol/g). ** Original report is 250 (µg/g).

Share and Cite

MDPI and ACS Style

Negrea, A.; Mihailescu, M.; Mosoarca, G.; Ciopec, M.; Duteanu, N.; Negrea, P.; Minzatu, V. Estimation on Fixed-Bed Column Parameters of Breakthrough Behaviors for Gold Recovery by Adsorption onto Modified/Functionalized Amberlite XAD7. Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2020, 17, 6868. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17186868

AMA Style

Negrea A, Mihailescu M, Mosoarca G, Ciopec M, Duteanu N, Negrea P, Minzatu V. Estimation on Fixed-Bed Column Parameters of Breakthrough Behaviors for Gold Recovery by Adsorption onto Modified/Functionalized Amberlite XAD7. International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health. 2020; 17(18):6868. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17186868

Chicago/Turabian Style

Negrea, Adina, Maria Mihailescu, Giannin Mosoarca, Mihaela Ciopec, Narcis Duteanu, Petru Negrea, and Vasile Minzatu. 2020. "Estimation on Fixed-Bed Column Parameters of Breakthrough Behaviors for Gold Recovery by Adsorption onto Modified/Functionalized Amberlite XAD7" International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health 17, no. 18: 6868. https://0-doi-org.brum.beds.ac.uk/10.3390/ijerph17186868

Note that from the first issue of 2016, this journal uses article numbers instead of page numbers. See further details here.

Article Metrics

Back to TopTop