Evaluation of zeolites synthesized from fly ash as potential adsorbents for wastewater containing heavy metals

Both pure-form zeolites (zeolites A and X) were synthesized by applying a two-stage method during hydrothermal treatment of fly ash prepared initial gel. The difference of adsorption capacity of both fly ash-synthesized zeolits was assessed under the same adsorption conditions. Copper and zinc were chosen as target heavy metal ions. It was found that adsorption capacity of zeolite A showed much higher value than that of zeolite X. Thus, attention was focused on investigating the removal performance of heavy metal ions in aqueous solution on the synthetic pure-form zeolite A from fly ash, zeolite HS (hydroxyl-solidate) prepared from the residual fly ash (after synthesis of pure-form zeolite A from fly ash) and a commercial grade zeolite A. Batch method was employed to study the influential parameters such as initial pH value, adsorbents dosage and adsorption temperature on the adsorption process. The equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir model and showed the affinity: Cu2+ > Zn2+ (adsorbent FA-ZA). The removal mechanism of metal ions followed adsorption and ion exchange processes. Attempts were also made to recover heavy metal ions and regenerate adsorbents (adsorbent FA-ZA).