Abstract:
A natural resin, Clinoptilolite, in the powder form
was used in this study to remove ammonium ions from synthetic wastewaters.
The concentrations of the ammonium ion (NH4+) in
the synthetic wastewaters were 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 mg L-1.
Based on the batch kinetic experiments, the equilibrium time was determined
to be one hour for synthetic wastewaters of 5, 10, 20 and 30 mg L-1
and 2 h for 40 mg L-1 ammonium ion concentrations. Batch adsorption
studies were conducted using 40 mg L-1 ammonium ion solution
and 1, 3, 5, 7 and 10 mg Clinoptilolite per 100 mL wastewater at room
temperature. The experiments were conducted up to equilibrium time. The
removal efficiencies obtained ranged from 68 to 92%, depending on the
mass of Clinoptilolite used. Batch adsorption studies also indicated that
the most applicable model for the sorption of ammonium ions from the synthetic
wastewater with 40 mg L-1 ammonium ion concentration was the
Freundlich isotherm model. Results of the study showed that powdered Clinoptilolite
could be used in the removal of ammonium ions from synthetic wastewaters
with high removal efficiency.