Demonstration of Removal, Separation, and Recovery of Heavy Metals from Industrial Wastestreams Using Molecular Recognition Technology (MRT)

Abstract

Abstract : This report validates the performance and life cycle costs of molecular recognition technology (MRT) for selective heavy metal recovery from industrial process waste streams. MRT selectively removes heavy metal ions using synthetic chemical compounds called macrocyclic ligands. These ligands complex with the targeted heavy metal ions while allowing alkaline earth and alkali metal ions to pass through the MRT system. The captured heavy metal ions can be regenerated in a highly purified concentrated form, which can be recycled back to the industrial process or sold to a metal reclaimer. IBC Technologies, Inc., has patented these macrocyclic ligands as Superligs. MRT can recover in a single process Cu, Cd, Cr (Cr VI or Cr III), Ni, Pb, Zn, and Ag to below regulated discharge limits for industrial wastewater treatment plants. For other applications, MRT can be designed to remove single metal ions such as arsenic (As). This report includes all the data from the operational runs of the pilot scale MRT demonstration at Puget Sound Naval Shipyard's industrial wastewater pretreatment facility (IWPF). At the IWPF, two MRT mixed bed columns were used where Superlig 327 recovered copper, lead, silver, nickel, cadmium and zinc from the influent stream. Superlig 3O7 and Superlig 310 were used to recover chromium (VI) and chromium (III) respectively. The efficiency of MRT system was calculated and cost data presented along with a discussion of regulatory issues.