Removal of Heavy Metals from Wastewater Solution Using a Mechanically Activated Novel Zeolitic Material

Abstract

The removal of heavy metals from the wastewater solution using a novel zeolitic material was conceived and experimentally probed. The natural zeolite was ground in a planetary ball mill to increase negative surface charge and amorphization of the material as well as a conventional ball mill. The ground materials were used for the removal of heavy metals from the wastewater solution. The maximum removals were found to be 78% for Pb, 67% for Ni and 54% for Cd by using the conventional milled natural zeolitic material at pH 11. However, 93% of Pb, 72% of Ni and 57% of Cd were removed at pH 9 with the novel zeolitic material milled by a planetary ball mill. It was revealed that the novel zeolitic material produced by a planetary ball mill increased the absorption capacity of the heavy metals and reduced the alkali requirement for pH adjustment. The removal order of heavy metals with the novel zeolitic material is determined as follows: Pb> Ni>Cd.