International Journal of Chemistry and Material Science Vol. 2(2), pp. 018-027, June, 2014 ISSN 2327-5553 ©2014 Academe Research Journals

Full Length Research Paper

Determination of best blend of zeolite 4A-metakaolin matrices for heavy metal removal from synthetic wastewater

Nwafulugo F. U.¹*, Adefila S. S.², Olawale A. S.² and Ajayi O. A.²

¹Department of Chemical Engineering, Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

²Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, Kaduna State, Nigeria.

*Corresponding author. E-mail: francaunoma@yahoo.com.

Accepted 29 May, 2014

Abstract

Nigeria is blessed with abundant solid mineral deposits scattered in different parts of the country. As a measure to curtail the total dependence of imported commercial adsorbent for the treatment of our petroleum wastewater, Kankara kaolin from Katsina state, Nigeria was pretreated and blended with a commercial zeolite 4A from UOP, New Jersey, USA. The determination of the best blend of matrices of zeolites 4A and metakaolin was based on the adsorption capacities of the blends. It was found that Matrix 4 composed from 75% metakaolin and 25% zeolite 4A yielded a unique and best matrix, with removal efficiency of almost 100%, except for lead. The compositions of the spectrum of matrices are: Matrix 1 – 0% metakaolin and 100% zeolite 4A; Matrix 2 – 25% metakaolin and 75% zeolite 4A; Matrix 3 – 50% metakaolin and 50% zeolite 4A; Matrix 4 – 25% metakaolin and 75% zeolite 4A; and Matrix 5 – 100% metakaolin and 0% zeolite 4A. The treatment profile suggested enhanced ion exchange ability as the key lever force.

Key words: Crude oil, petroleum wastewater, zeolite 4A, pollution, heavy metals.