HEAVY-METAL REMOVAL USING BOUND MACROCYCLES

Aza macrocycles bound to silica gel beads were found to selectively remove heavy metal cations such as Pb2+, Cd2+, Ag+, and Hg2+ from aqueous solutions. These bound macrocycles have a virtually infinite selectivity of binding with heavy metals over alkali and alkaline earth cations. The material is very stable and can be reused hundreds of times. Columns may be regenerated using an acidic eluent solution. Equilibrium constants were determined by column tests. Removal of heavy metals was demonstrated in bench scale tests using a synthetic contaminated water and in pilot scale tests using a naturally contaminated river water. Heavy metal concentrations could be effectively reduced to the mu-g/L level using the process.