Forming a filter media from zeolite modified with SDBAC for wastewater treatment process

Abstract

This paper investigates the effects of several parameters (amounts of organic matter, grain size, content of solid phase, stirring rate, and temperature) on the adsorption of stearyl dimethyl benzyl ammonium chloride (SDBAC) in natural zeolite tuff in the process of formation of adsorbents based on organo-zeolite, a potential filter in waste water treatment process. Obtained results show that the most favorable ratio between the amount of SDBAC and zeolites is 50-75 mmol M+/kg. Larger grains have lower zeolite adsorption power of organic cations on the surface of zeolite, while favorable percentage of content of solids in the zeolite suspension is 10-20%. Interference between adsorption of mixture and temperature, especially in volumes of SDBAC lower than 75 mmol M+/kg of zeolite, have no significant impact on adsorption of organic cations on the surface of the zeolite. The obtained results present an initial step for defining the optimal operating parameters for forming adsorbents based on organo-zeolite as a filter potentially utilized in waste water treatment.