RECOVERY OF ZINC, CADMIUM, AND LANTHANUM BY BIOPOLYMER GEL PARTICLES OF ALGINIC ACID

Biopolymer gel particles of alginic acid were found to be a useful material for recovering zinc, cadmium, and lanthanum from aqueous solutions. The metals sorbed by the gel particles could be completely eluted by using dilute HCl solution of 0.1 kmol/m3. The distribution ratios of the individual metals between the gel and liquid phases were measured by using a batch method. The equilibrium data were consistent with predictions made assuming that sorption takes place with the ion-exchange reaction between metal ions and alginic acid. The maximum sorption capacity of the gel particles and the distribution equilibrium constants for the metals were determined by comparing the experimental data with the theoretical predictions. The observed effect of temperature on the distribution equilibrium was insignificant in the range from 15 to 35-degrees-C.