Flotation of Cadmium Ions from Wastewater Using Air Micro-Bubbles

Abstract

In this work were carried out to verify the efficiency of micro-bubbles in flotation the heavy metals (Cadmium ions) from wastewater. Its unique attributes of being affordable, having a straightforward design, being highly efficient, and not causing any secondary contamination are the reasons for this. The flotation process (removal efficiency) was analyzed under different reaction conditions. Including PH of initial solution, initial pollutant concentration, gas (air) flow rate, type (anionic or cationic) and concentration of surfactant used, sampling port location and contact time. It was found from the experiments that the removal of Cd(II) by micro-bubbles was higher at pH 7.2, flow rate of 0.50 L/min, SDS surfactant concentration of 15 mg/L, pollutant concentration of 30 mg/L, and at a high 30 cm port, with a removal efficiency of 98.44%. In addition, normal bubbles were used in experiments alongside micro-bubbles, revealing a 56.5% increase in removal efficiency. Furthermore, the study identified the kinetic flotation order of Cd(II) ions to be approximately first order.