The application of zeolite in thickeners for optimal water recovery and preventing environmental pollution

Abstract

Thickener is the most important device that separates water from concentrate. Outlet water from thickener overflow must comply with the standards of transparency and the level of toxins. One way to reduce the hardness of water is ion replacement. In this paper we use the zeolite powder (coagulant) in combination with materials such as bentonite powder (coagulant aid), FeCl3 and poly aluminum chloride. If the settling time of particles in the deposition experiments was about an hour, this compound was recorded as appropriate case for water purification. Results showed that polyaluminum chloride had the highest efficiency in removing turbidity and low color of the water. On the other hand, pH for coagulant was less effective in reducing alkalinity. Due to cation exchange and high absorbing aqueous solution cations, such as ammonium and heavy metals, natural zeolite can be considered as an important material with low cost for water purification in a thickener. An interesting point is that the natural zeolite was not good adsorbent for organic and anionic ions. Bentonite as an adsorbent and heavier due to the high density and berry color properties and adsorption played an important role in clarifying water.