Preparation of Fly Ash Based Zeolite for Fluoride Removal

Article type: Research Article

Authors: Panda, L. | Kar, B.B.^{; *}

Affiliations: School of Applied Sciences, KIIT University, Bhubaneswar (India)

Correspondence: [*] Corresponding Author. [email protected]

Abstract: Fluoride contamination of drinking water is a worldwide phenomenon and scientists are working relentlessly to find ways to remove fluoride from drinking water. Out of the different methods employed for removal of fluoride from drinking water, adsorption process is the most suitable because in this process the adsorbent is regenerated. In the present study fly ash is used as the raw material, which is treated with alkali (NaOH) to form NaP1 zeolite. This zeolite is then subjected to characterization by standard procedures. It is found that the synthesized zeolite has more crystalline character than the raw fly ash and has also residual positive charge on its surface. The synthesized zeolite is employed for removal of fluoride under varying pH, contact time, initial concentration of fluoride, temperature and adsorbent dose etc. The adsorption data is then put into Freundlich and Langmuir Isotherm. It is found that the equilibrium data for removal of fluoride by adsorption onto synthesized zeolite fits better into the Langmuir isotherm than the Freundlich isotherm.

Keywords: Fly ash, zeolite adsorption, adsorbent dose, Freundlich isotherm, Langmuir isotherm

DOI: 10.3233/AJW-180063

Journal: Asian Journal of Water, Environment and Pollution, vol. 15, no. 4, pp. 105-113, 2018