New Method for the Production of Barium Humate from Turkish Coal

Abstract

Metal humates have been generally produced from water soluble alkaline humates with the related metal salts. In this study, a new method for the production of barium humate (Ba-HA) from Turkish coal was developed. Insoluble Ba-HA was produced from the result of the extraction of coal directly with barium hydroxide at 120˚C. The effect of the amount of raw materials on the so-lubility and on the content of barium metal was investigated. The pilot plant trial was performed by using 100 kg of coal in one batch based on laboratory results. Ba-HA was characterized by means of FTIR and TGA. The calcination of Ba-HA at the different temperatures and in atmosphere of nitrogen and air was realized to provide the increase in the surface area and the decrease in the chromatographic groups giving yellow color. In terms of the surface area and UV-absorbance values , the calcination condition was selected as the temperature of 350˚C and atmosphere of air. The calcinated Ba-HA was used in the adsorption of some heavy metals. The results show that Ba-HA may have potential to be used as a low cost, natural and eco-friendly adsorbent.