Removal Of Pb(Ii) Ions From Aqueous Solution Using Waste Foundry Sand And Bentonite Clay

Abstract

In the present work an attempt has been made to use Waste Foundry Sand (WFS) and Bentonite clay for the removal of lead (Pb(II)) from the aqueous solution. The removal efficiency of the (WFS) and Bentonite clay was studied as a function of dosage, reaction time and pH of the solution along with the reaction kinetics and ion exchange mechanisms. The characterization and mechanism involved in the uptake of lead ion by the Bentonite clay was studied using instrumental techniques such as X-Ray Diffraction (XRD) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM). The percentage removal of lead was found to increase gradually with an increase in the pH of the solution. The lead removal kinetics study indicated that the overall process was best described by pseudo first order kinetics. The process followed the ion exchange mechanism. The results indicate that Bentonite clay can be used as an effective and low cost material for the treatment of wastewater polluted with Pb(II) ions.

List of abbreviations: Waste foundry sand (WFS),X-Ray Diffraction (XRD), Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM), Bureau of Indian Standards (BIS).