Microwave-assisted synthesis of coal fly ash-based zeolites for removal of ammonium from urine
Boitumelo Makgabutlane, Lebea N. Nthunya, Nicholas M. Musyoka, Bongumusa S. Dladla, Edward N. Nxumalo, Sabelo D. Mhlanga
Abstract
) with 40 min total reaction time. The removal of ammonium from urine was carried out using (i) the coal fly ash-derived sodalite, (ii) raw coal fly ash and (iii) a commercially available natural zeolite (clinoptilolite). The pure phase sodalite exhibited the highest removal efficiency of about 82% and 73% in synthetic and real hydrolyzed urine respectively. The adsorption process followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model and the Freundlich adsorption isotherm, indicating that the adsorption process occurred on a heterogeneous surface.
Topics & Concepts
SodaliteFly ashZeoliteAdsorptionFreundlich equationClinoptiloliteChemistryCoalSpecific surface areaRaw materialNuclear chemistryChemical engineeringChromatographyPulp and paper industryWaste managementOrganic chemistryCatalysisEngineeringPhosphorus and nutrient managementChemical Synthesis and CharacterizationZeolite Catalysis and Synthesis