Adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solutions and sewage using zirconium loaded okara (ZLO): Fixed-bed column study

T A H Nguyen; H H Ngo; W S Guo; T Q Pham; F M Li; T V Nguyen; X T Bui

doi:10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.126

Adsorption of phosphate from aqueous solutions and sewage using zirconium loaded okara (ZLO): Fixed-bed column study

Sci Total Environ. 2015 Aug 1:523:40-9. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.126. Epub 2015 Apr 7.

Authors

T A H Nguyen¹, H H Ngo², W S Guo¹, T Q Pham³, F M Li⁴, T V Nguyen¹, X T Bui⁵

Affiliations

¹ Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia.
² Centre for Technology in Water and Wastewater, School of Civil and Environmental Engineering, University of Technology, Sydney (UTS), 15 Broadway, Ultimo, NSW 2007, Australia. Electronic address: ngohuuhao121@gmail.com.
³ Faculty of Geography, University of Science, Vietnam National University, Hanoi, Viet Nam.
⁴ College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Ocean University of China, Qingdao 266100, China.
⁵ Environmental Engineering and Management Research Group, Ton Duc Thang University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam; Faculty of Environment and Natural Resources, Ho Chi Minh City University of Technology-Vietnam National University, Ho Chi Minh City, Viet Nam.

PMID: 25847314
DOI: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2015.03.126

Abstract

This study explores the potential of removing phosphorus from aqueous solutions and sewage by Zr(IV)-loaded okara (ZLO) in the fixed-bed column. Soybean residue (okara) was impregnated with 0.25M Zr(IV) solution to prepare active binding sites for phosphate. The effect of several factors, including flow rate, bed height, initial phosphorus concentration, pH and adsorbent particle size on the performance of ZLO was examined. The maximum dynamic adsorption capacity of ZLO for phosphorus was estimated to be 16.43mg/g. Breakthrough curve modeling indicated that Adams-Bohart model and Thomas model fitted the experimental data better than Yoon-Nelson model. After treatment with ZLO packed bed column, the effluent could meet the discharge standard for phosphorus in Australia. Successful desorption and regeneration were achieved with 0.2 NaOH and 0.1 HCl, respectively. The results prove that ZLO can be used as a promising phosphorus adsorbent in the dynamic adsorption system.

Keywords: Agricultural by-products; Fixed-bed column; Food waste recycling; Phosphorus adsorption; Soybean by-product (okara); Zr(IV)-loaded okara.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adsorption
Australia
Hydrogen-Ion Concentration
Kinetics
Phosphates / analysis
Phosphates / chemistry*
Phosphorus / analysis
Phosphorus / chemistry
Sewage / chemistry*
Waste Disposal, Fluid
Water Pollutants, Chemical / analysis
Water Pollutants, Chemical / chemistry*
Zirconium / chemistry*

Substances

Phosphates
Sewage
Water Pollutants, Chemical
Phosphorus
Zirconium