Adsorption of H2S from Thermal Water Using Clinoptilolite

Abstract

The goal was to study and develop the composite adsorbents to uptake H2S from thermal water on the base of natural zeolite clinoptilolite (CL) from deposit of Georgia and activated carbon (AC). Cation-modified forms of CL have been prepared by wet-milling method. The crystalline structure and content of prepared adsorbents have been studied by X-ray diffraction (XRD) technique, IR-and AAS methods. Adsorption experiments carried out varying the ratio zeolite: AC, composite: solution, duration of contact, granulation degree. The results obtained showed that modification of CL by ion-exchanging method with metal ions (Zn2+, Fe3+, Mn2, Cu2+) has improved the adsorption capacity. Adsorption equilibrium reached in seven-fifteen minutes, and adsorption activity grows in a row: DeCL < CL < CuDeCL < MnDeCL < FeDeCL < ZnDeCL < AC/CL. The sorption capacity ranged from 0.68 mg/g to 28.17 mg/g. pH of thermal water before sorption was 8.97 and in filtrates changed in very wide ranges – from 10.44 until 3.55 depending on type of modification. Presence of multivalent cations of metals in the zeolite confirmed to be an essential factor determined the adsorption activity in relation to H2S, adsorption occurs via both physical sorption and chemisorption. Most active was composite AC/CL with ratio AC:CL, equal 3:2. The difference for H2S between decationated and cation-exchanged forms of CL may be explained by the change of surface potential. Polarity of zeolites depends on Si/Al ratio, which by-turn depends on conditions of acid treatment.