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Nicomel NR, Otero-Gonzalez L, Williamson A, Ok YS, Van Der Voort P, Hennebel T, Du Laing G. Selective copper recovery from ammoniacal waste streams using a systematic biosorption process. CHEMOSPHERE 2022; 286:131935. [PMID: 34426295 DOI: 10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.131935] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/26/2021] [Revised: 08/02/2021] [Accepted: 08/16/2021] [Indexed: 06/13/2023]
Abstract
Cu-NH3 bearing effluents arise from electroplating and metal extraction industries, requiring innovative and sustainable Cu recovery technologies to reduce their adverse environmental impact. CO32- and Zn are often co-occurring, and thus, selective Cu recovery from these complex liquid streams is required for economic viability. This study assessed 23 sustainable biosorbents classified as tannin-rich, lignin-rich, chitosan/chitin, dead biomass, macroalgae or biochar for their Cu adsorption capacity and selectivity in a complex NH3-bearing bioleachate. Under a preliminary screen with 12 mM Cu in 1 M ammoniacal solution, most biosorbents showed optimal Cu adsorption at pH 11, with pinecone remarkably showing high removal efficiencies (up to 68%) at all tested pH values. Further refinements on select biosorbents with pH, contact time, and presence of NH3, Zn and CO32- showed again that pinecone has a high maximum adsorption capacity (1.07 mmol g-1), worked over pH 5-12 and was Cu-selective with 3.97 selectivity quotient (KCu/Zn). Importantly, pinecone performance was maintained in a real Cu/NH3/Zn/CO32- bioleachate, with 69.4% Cu removal efficiency. Unlike synthetic adsorbents, pinecones require no pre-treatment, which together with its abundance, selectivity, and efficiency without the need for prior NH3 removal, makes it a competitive and sustainable Cu biosorbent for complex Cu-NH3 bearing streams. Overall, this study demonstrated the potential of integrating bioleaching and biosorption as a clean Cu recovery technology utilizing only sustainable resources (i.e., bio-lixiviant and biosorbents). This presents a closed-loop approach to Cu extraction and recovery from wastes, thus effectively addressing elemental sustainability.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nina Ricci Nicomel
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium. http://
| | - Lila Otero-Gonzalez
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Adam Williamson
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Yong Sik Ok
- Korea Biochar Research Center, APRU Sustainable Waste Management Program and Division of Environmental Science and Ecological Engineering, Korea University, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Pascal Van Der Voort
- Center for Ordered Materials, Organometallics and Catalysis, Department of Chemistry, Ghent University, Krijgslaan 281 (S3), 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Tom Hennebel
- Center for Microbial Ecology and Technology, Department of Biochemical and Microbial Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Gijs Du Laing
- Laboratory of Analytical Chemistry and Applied Ecochemistry, Department of Green Chemistry and Technology, Ghent University, Coupure Links 653, 9000, Ghent, Belgium
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