Efficient removal of manganese from aquatic solutions by amphistegina filter

Abstract

Mono-media filtration vessels of amphistegina and conventional granular activated carbon filters in an assembled semi-pilot filtration unit had been carried out to represent the efficient removal of manganese ions from hydrous solution in a comparison study. Amphistegina tests surfaces have been characterized for the first time in compared to conventional granular activated carbon media by X-ray diffraction, Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy and Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area analysis. Also, the surface morphology of granular activated carbon and amphistegina media with manganese chloride adsorption was observed by Atomic Force Microscopy analysis. The filtration unit had been operated at different working conditions such as; flow rates (20, 30, 40, 50 and 60 l/min), operating temperatures (293, 303 and 313 k), initial manganese(II) concentrations (15–105 mg/l), constant pH (7.5) and calculated adsorbent mass for granular activated carbon (34.1 g/l) and amphistegina media (115 g/l). The maximum adsorption capacities of manganese ions by amphistegina (1.17 mg/g) and granular activated carbon (3.36 mg/g) filters had been produced at a temperature of 313 k and at a higher flow rate (60 l/min); while at a lower flow rate (20 l/min), the maximum adsorption capacities were 2.83 mg/g for granular activated carbon filter and 3.42 mg/g for amphistegina filter. The adsorption performance was verified by Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms.