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Complete column trials for water refinement, using titanium(IV) phosphate sorbents Mylène Trublet, and Daniela Rusanova ACS Sustainable Chem. Eng., Just Accepted Manuscript • DOI: 10.1021/ acssuschemeng.7b04823 • Publication Date (Web): 28 Mar 2018 Downloaded from http://pubs.acs.org on April 9, 2018
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Complete column trials for water refinement, using
1
titanium(IV) phosphate sorbents
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3
Mylène Trubleta*, Daniela Rusanovaa
4 5 6
a
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*Correspondence to:
[email protected], +46-(0)920-493448
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ABSTRACT
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A titanium phosphate sorbent with linked active units (LTP) is synthesized. XRD, 31P MAS NMR,
10
and TGA techniques are used to disclose the relation between the ion-exchange units of –HPO4
11
(crystalline α-TiP) and of –H2PO4 (amorphous TiP1) type. The published kinetics data of TiP1
12
sorbent in batch mode have been re-processed according to the non-linear approach in order to
13
explore further the sorption mechanism, and it was found that the data could be well described by
14
the pseudo-second order model in the case of Ni2+ ions. Consequently, fixed-bed column sorption
15
experiments of Ni2+ ions on LTP were designed and the effects of both the amount of nickel(II)
16
ions in the feed solution and of the flow rates on the sorption equilibrium were studied. The ion-
17
exchange capacity is estimated to be 1.6 meq.g-1 during the first four cycles before decreasing to
18
1.2 meq.g-1 for cycles five and six. The experimental data were simulated following the Thomas
19
model and desorption experiments with HCl were performed. Observations show that regeneration
20
and reutilization of the LTP ion-exchanger is possible through at least six cycles. It is revealed that
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the sorption performances in column conditions could be undoubtedly predicted from the
22
corresponding batch sorption data.
Chemistry of Interfaces, Luleå Univeristy of Technology, 97187 Luleå, Sweden
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KEYWORDS
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Titanium phosphate, ion-exchanger, column, nickel, sorption
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INTRODUCTION
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26 27
The presence of nickel ions and other pollutants in the surface and groundwater water is a major
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concern for the environmental commission due to their adverse effects on public health and on
29
ecological systems (the terms nickel and nickel ions will be used interchangeably in the text and
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the forms will be distinguished when necessary) 1.
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The accumulation of nickel can cause infertility, cutaneous sensitivity, nausea, liver and kidney
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diseases, cancer, etc., in humans when exposed to concentrated doses and/or long-term exposure
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at minimal concentration. The release of nickel ions in the environment is mainly caused by
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wastewater spillage 2. The primary source of nickel in drinking water originates from leaching of
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Ni-containing metal parts that are in continuous contact with water, such as pipes and fittings.
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Nickel metal has many applications and has been extensively used in alloys production of various
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types, i.e. stainless steel, non-ferrous alloys and super alloys 3. Discharge of such waste increases
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the nickel concentration in soil and groundwater and creates the need for a more permanent solution
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to lower this concentration below the European regulations 4–9.
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Different treatment techniques have been employed for removing nickel and heavy metals ions
41
from wastewaters 10. Each treatment process has been designed for specific geographic areas and
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has its own advantages and disadvantages. For example, chemical precipitation and sedimentation
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are favored processes due to inexpensive running costs and their simplicity but they are not suitable
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when contaminants are present at trace level. These treatments can also result in the production of
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large amounts of sludge that would need to be further treated. On the other hand, the ion-exchange 2
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and sorption techniques have high treatment capacities but are often expensive and require
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regeneration of the material using chemical reagents which can in turn produce secondary pollution
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4
. More efforts are put into finding low costs ion-exchangers that can efficiently remove heavy
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metal ions from drinking and waste waters, although their regeneration can be an issue.
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Titanium phosphates (TiP) are a group of inorganic ion-exchangers that have demonstrated to have
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very good cationic sorption properties in batch experiments. It has been proven that the ion-
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exchange capacity (IEC) is dependent on the degree of TiP crystallinity, the Ti:P molar ratios and
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the sorbents' stability and that all these factor should be taken into account when designing new
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TiP ion-exchangers. Recent studies have reported very promising ion-exchange properties of an
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amorphous TiP material with chemical formula TiO(OH)(H2PO4)•H2O (TiP1) 11–13 . The material
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has been found to be the most chemically stable TiP ion-exchangers at a pH range of 2-10. The
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maximum hydrolysis of P-units (2.5 %) was observed at pH = 10 while the hydrolysis of T-units
58
remained negligible in the whole pH range. With the presence of two exchangeable protons, TiP1
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has displayed a maximum ion-exchange capacity (expressed as sodium uptake) of 6.3 meq.g-1 which
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is the highest recorded so far for amorphous TiP materials. The actual ion-exchange capacity (IEC)
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has been estimated to be around 3.1 meq.g-1 towards transition metal ions and is among the highest
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values reported for TiP ion-exchangers 12.
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Crystalline TiP ion-exchangers are usually obtained at harder synthetic conditions. One of the most
64
studied crystalline TiP is α-TiP (Ti(HPO4)2•H2O). It can be obtained in an autoclave at 200 °C for
65
3 hours 14 or at lower heat (between 50 and 80 °C) combined with a very long reaction time (from
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12 h to 4 days) or/and under refluxing conditions 15,16. Crystalline TiP have shown to have higher
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Na+ uptakes but a considerably lower IEC towards metal ions in solution than amorphous TiP 17.
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Despite their proven sorption properties in batch conditions, TiP ion-exchangers have not been
69
thoroughly studied in continuous column experiments. Among the few data found in the literature, 3
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it has been observed that the ion-exchange performances of amorphous TiP materials depended on
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the ion-exchange form (proton or alkaline) it had been converted to. It has also been shown that
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amorphous Na-TiP (in sodium form) was increasing the sorption capacity of the material towards
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divalent metal ions, in batch and in column experiments, when compared to amorphous H-TiP (in
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proton form) 13,18. Other forms of amorphous TiP have been studied (Mg-TiP and Ca-TiP) and it
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was found that ion-exchange performances of TiP was increasing in the order: Ca-TiP < Mg-TiP
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< Na-TiP 19. Another advantage in using the sodium form of LTP is the fact that the pH during the
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sorption process will remain in the same range, while the proton form would result in a pH drop
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due to the proton exchange.
79
To the best of our knowledge, no complete studies on the sorption behavior of TiP in column
80
conditions (influence of the concentration, flow rate of the feed solution, regeneration of the
81
material, modeling) have been published and data on a direct relation between batch and column
82
tests are missing.
83 84
In this work, the sorption behavior of the Linked Titanium Phosphate ion-exchanger (LTP),
85
composed of two types of ion-exchange units: amorphous –H2PO4 groups and crystalline –HPO4
86
groups, was studied in continuous column conditions. The structural properties of LTP were first
87
characterized by XRD,
88
determined by the sodium uptake. Column experiments were designed based on batch data and
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sorption of Ni2+ ions onto Na-LTP (sodium form) were conducted under different working
90
conditions varying the nickel(II) ions concentration in the feed solution as well as the flow rates.
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Desorption experiments were also performed to investigate the regeneration and reutilization of
92
the ion-exchanger.
31
P MAS NMR, and TGA and the maximum sorption capacity was
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EXPERIMENTAL SECTION Synthesis
95 96 97
The linked titanium phosphate (LTP) ion-exchanger in this study was synthesized as follow: 50
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mL of a solution of TiOSO4•(H2SO4)x from Sigma Aldrich (containing 27-31% H2SO4 basis and
99
ca 5% Ti) was heated up to 80 °C and mixed with the corresponding amount of 85% H3PO4 so that
100
the molar ratio TiO2:P2O5 = 1:1. The mixture was kept under heating for about 24 h before being
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filtrated and washed with 5% H3PO4. The obtained white precipitate was then dried at 60 °C for ca
102
5 h. The post synthetic treatment consisted in successive washings with diluted HCl and deionized
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water.
104
The synthesis of TiP1 follows similar procedure as for LTP at the condition that the temperature
105
of 80 °C is switched off within the 30 min after adding 85% H3PO4 11.
106 107
Characterization
108 109
The titanium phosphate ion-exchanger synthesized in this study (LTP) was characterized using 31P
110
MAS NMR, XRD and TG.
111
The 31P MAS NMR spectra were obtained at 162.01 MHz on a Bruker Ascend Aeon WB 400 MHz
112
spectrometer (B0 = 9.48 T) using a 5 mm MAS probe and the samples were packed in standard
113
ZrO2 rotors. The spinning frequency was 12 kHz and all spectra were externally referenced to solid
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NH4H2PO4 at 0.9 ppm. All data are reported with chemical shifts related to H3PO4 at 0 ppm and
115
single pulse experiments were used to investigate the samples. The pulse width and the pulse delay
116
were 1.5 μs and 5 s, respectively. 64 acquisitions were acquired to obtain the spectra. The NMR
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spectra were processed and the deconvolution was performed with Topspin 3.5 software. 5
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The powder X-ray diffraction (XRD) patterns were recorded using a PANalytical Empyrean
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diffractometer run in Bragg-Brentano geometry with Cu Kα radiation (λ = 1.5406 Å). The samples
120
were scanned in the 2θ range of 2-70 ° with a 2θ step size of 0.0260 ° and a scan step time of 3.3
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min.
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The thermogravimetric (TG) data of LTP were obtained using a thermogravimetric analyzer
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(Perkin Elmer TGA 8000) under nitrogen atmosphere. The amount of weight loss and the heat flow
124
were recorded in the temperature range from 30 °C to 1000 °C with a temperature rate of 1 °C/min.
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Sodium uptake
126 127 128
The maximum sorption capacity for TiP systems was determined as the sodium uptake (in meq.g1
). The studied ion-exchanger, LTP, was mixed with a solution of 0.5 M Na2CO3 following a mass
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(g) to volume (mL) ratio of 1:50. The mixture was kept under stirring for 24 h at ambient
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conditions. The sodium content was analyzed after filtration using an Inductive Coupled Plasm
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Atomic Emission Spectroscopy (ICP-AES) by ALS Global Scandinavia, Luleå. The sodium form
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of LTP (Na-LTP) was used for further sorption column experiments.
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Sorption-Desorption column experiments
134 135
The column experiments were carried out using a vertical glass column with an inner diameter of
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1 cm. The column was filled with glass beads of 1 mm diameter, filter paper and glass wool before
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loading the column with Na-LTP. About 5 g of the ion- exchanger Na-LTP was used which
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corresponds to a bed height of about 10 cm and a bed volume (BV) of about 8 mL. Filter paper,
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glass wool and glass beads were also added on the top of the sorbent. A schematic representation
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of the column set up (Figure S2) can be found in the supporting information.
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Solutions of NiSO4•7H2O at two different concentrations (2.5 mM and 5.0 mM) were pumped
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through the column from the bottom to the top using a peristaltic pump at three different flow rates:
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54, 78 and 96 mL.min-1. Details of the experiments (with fixed and variable parameters) are
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described in the supporting information, Table S1.
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Desorption studies were performed with HCl at two concentrations (0.05 M and 0.01 M) and two
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flow rates (90 and 54 mL.min-1).
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The LTP ion-exchanger was converted to its sodium form using a solution of 0.5 M Na2CO3 and
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was further washed with deionized water until the pH at the outlet of the column was the same as
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the inlet (pH. ~ 5.7). In total, six sorption-desorption cycles were performed. The pH of the
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solutions at the inlet and outlet of the column were found to be between 5.0 and 5.5 during the
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whole experiment (no further alteration of the initial pH was detected). This small pH window
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ensures that no Ni(OH)2 precipitate can be formed as it would be expected only if the pH raised to
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7.6-7.7 for the studied concentration ranges 20.
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The concentration of Ni2+ in the filtrate after sorption was determined spectrophotometrically using
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a standard procedure that was adapted to NiSO4•7H2O concentrations used in this work 21. Prior to
156
the analysis, the samples were diluted 50 times with deionized water. To 20 mL of this diluted Ni2+ 7
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ions solutions, 1mL of 10% Na2S2O8, 3 mL of 10% NaOH and 1 mL of 1% of dimethylglyoxime
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in ethanol were added. The absorbance of the samples were measured using a UV-VIS
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spectrometer at a wavelength λ = 465 nm.
160 161
BATCH EXPERIMENTS: REVISITED KINETICS
162
The majority of kinetics data on sorption experiments report linear regression approach in the
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determination of kinetics parameters for the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order kinetics. As it
164
has been discussed by Simonin, these statistical treatments tend to favor the pseudo-second order
165
rate law 22. For data close to and at equilibrium, the mathematical expression of the pseudo-second
166
order gives aligned points when the accuracy of fit with the pseudo-first order decreases. Another
167
criticism of the linear regressions involves the comparison of the correlation coefficient R2 of two
168
different functions on a transformed scale, which becomes irrelevant in the present context.
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Therefore, kinetics data should be processed with more caution and non-linear fits should be
170
preferred over the linear fits 22.
171 172
Kinetics data of sorption of Ni2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ ions on TiP1 have been recently published also
173
following the linear regression analyses. Four kinetics models (pseudo-first order, pseudo-second
174
order, liquid film diffusion and intraparticle diffusion) were tested and it was found that the
175
experimental data could be best described by the pseudo-second order kinetics 12. In this article,
176
these data have been re-analyzed according to the non-linear approach for the pseudo-first and
177
pseudo-second order, described by Simonin 22, using the fit() function from MATLAB.
178
In brief, the equation for the pseudo-first order can be expressed as 23:
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𝑞(𝑡) = 𝑞𝑒 [1 − exp(−𝑘1 𝑡)]
(1)
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Where q(t) is the amount of adsorbed solute at time t (mmol.g-1), qe is the value at equilibrium
181
(mmol.g-1), k1 is the pseudo-first order rate constant (min-1) and t is the time (min).
182 183
If the fractional uptake F(t) is defined as 𝐹(𝑡) = 𝑞(𝑡)/𝑞𝑒 , the constant k1 can be determined from
184
the non-linear regression of the plot F(t) versus [1 − exp(−𝑘1 𝑡)].
185
The reasoning for the pseudo-second order follows the one for the pseudo-first order. It can be
186
expressed as 24:
187
𝑞(𝑡) = 𝑞𝑒 1+𝑘2 ∗
188
Where k2 is the pseudo-second order rate constant (g.mmol-1.min-1).
𝑘∗ 𝑡 2
𝑡
with 𝑘2∗ = 𝑘2 𝑞𝑒
(2)
189 190
If the fractional uptake F(t) is defined as 𝐹(𝑡) = 𝑞(𝑡)/𝑞𝑒 , the constant k2 can be determined from
191
2 the non-linear regression of the plot F(t) versus 1+𝑘 ∗𝑡 .
𝑘∗ 𝑡 2
192 193
In both cases, the data were plotted for F(t) < 0.85 and the resulting constants were compared to
194
the ones previously published by Trublet et al.12 (determined from linear plots). The re-studied
195
kinetics involves sorption of Ni2+, Co2+ and Cu2+ ions (with an initial concentration of 2.5 mmol.L-
196
1
) on TiP1.
197 198
COLUMN DATA ANALYSIS
199 200
The adsorption data collected for the column experiments at different Ni2+ ions concentrations and
201
at different flow rates were analyzed as described below.
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The column capacity qsorbed (mmol) represents the number of moles of nickel(II) ions that are
203
retained by the column. It is calculated using the equation below:
204 205
𝑡=𝑡
𝑞𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 = 𝑄 ∫𝑡=0 𝑒𝑥ℎ (𝐶0 − 𝐶𝑡 ) 𝑑𝑡
(3)
206
With Q the flow rate (L.h-1), C0 the initial concentration (mmol.L-1) of Ni2+ ions at the feed, Ct the
207
concentration of Ni2+ ions at the outlet of the column at time t (mmol.L-1) and texh the time at the
208
exhaustion point.
209
The integral is calculated until the exhaustion point (texh) which corresponds to the time where the
210
concentration of Ni2+ ions at the outlet exceeds 95% of C0.
211 212
The experimental ion-exchange capacity (IECexp) in meq.g-1 of TiP systems represents the amount
213
Ni2+ ions uptaken by gram of sorbent. It is calculated using the following equation:
214 215 216
𝐼𝐸𝐶𝑒𝑥𝑝 =
𝑞𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 ∗2 𝑚𝐿𝑇𝑃
(4)
Where mLTP is the mass (g) of the sorbent in the column.
217 218
It has been reported that the ion-exchange capacity of TiP systems could also be estimated from
219
the Na+ uptake 19. In most of the cases, the ion-exchange capacity represented about 60 % of the
220
sodium uptaken by the TiP sorbent. Therefore, for the studied system of LTP, the calculated ion-
221
exchange capacity (IECcalc) was estimated to be 60% of the Na+ uptake.
222 223
The performance/yield of the column (Y in %) through the different cycles was calculated using
224
eq. (5): 10
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𝐼𝐸𝐶𝑒𝑥𝑝
225
𝑌 (%) =
226
The value of Y (in %) shows how well the theoretical sorption capacity is reached during the
227
sorption cycles.
228
The total amount of Ni2+ ions (in moles) loaded into the column until the exhaustion point, 𝑞𝑁𝑖2+,𝑡𝑜𝑡
229
was calculated as:
230
𝐼𝐸𝐶𝑐𝑎𝑙𝑐
∗ 100
(5)
𝑞𝑁𝑖 2+,𝑡𝑜𝑡 = 𝐶0 . 𝑄 . 𝑡𝑒𝑥ℎ
(6)
231 232
Finally, the total removal percent of Ni2+ ions from the feed solution was determined using the
233
equation below 25:
234
𝑞
𝐸(%) = 𝑞 𝑠𝑜𝑟𝑏𝑒𝑑 * 100
(7)
𝑁𝑖2+,𝑡𝑜𝑡
235
where E (%) can be considered as a measure of how efficient in time is the nickel(II) removal when
236
the sorbent capacity is reached.
237
COLUMN SORPTION MODELING
238 239
The Thomas model was used to obtain the breakthrough profile of packed bed sorption column
240
using LTP 26. It is derived from the equation of mass conservation in a flowing system. The axial
241
and radial dispersion in the column are considered to be negligible and the rate driving force
242
follows the second order reversible kinetics.
243
The linearized equation of the Thomas model can be expressed using the following equation:
244 245
𝐶
ln (𝐶0 − 1) = 𝑡
𝑘𝑇ℎ .𝑞𝑇ℎ .𝑚 𝑄
− 𝑘𝑇ℎ . 𝐶0 . 𝑡
(8)
246
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Where kTh is the Thomas rate constant in L.mmol-1.h-1 and qTh the ion-exchange capacity of the
248
sorbent in mmol.g-1.
249
The Thomas model was applied to the experimental data located in the range 0.10 < C/C0 < 0.85.
250 251
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
252
XRD
253
(c) Intensity
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(b)
(a) 5 254
15
25
35
2θ, degrees
45
55
65
255
Figure 1. XRD diffractrograms of (a) referenced α-TiP 27, (b) LTP and (c) TiP111.
256
The XRD diffractograms of LTP is displayed in Figure 1b and reported patterns for α-TiP
257
(Ti(HPO4)2•H2O) and TiP1 (TiO(OH)(H2PO4•H2O) are shown for comparison in Figure 1a and
258
Figure 1c, respectively. The LTP displays a crystalline-like phase with a pattern that resembles a
259
mixture of two phases: TiP1 and α-TiP. One broad peak is observed at 2θ = 8.8 ° which corresponds
260
to an interlayer distance of 10.02 Å. It has been reported that such a peak was an indication of a
261
layered structure with low crystallinity phase in TiP1 systems
262
11.7 °, corresponding to an interlayer distance of 7.54 Å, is the main characteristic of α-TiP
11
. A second narrow peak at 2θ =
12
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27,28
. This confirms that the TiP1 and α-TiP systems are both present in the XRD
263
materials
264
diffractogram of LTP, suggesting that the new material is composed of two interconnected units
265
with different crystallinity.
266 267
31
P MAS NMR -14.9
(d) -14.8
(c)
5.4 2.6 -18.7 -7.0
(b) -18.8
(a)
-15.6
-30.4
30 20 10 0 -10 -20 -30 -40 -50 268 269 270
ppm
Figure 2. 31P MAS NMR of (a) LTP before washing with HCl (H-form) (b) LTP final compound (H-form), (c) Na-LTP and (d) LTP after the sixth desorption cycles (H-Na-form).
271
Figure 2 shows the 31P MAS NMR spectra of LTP at various stages from the synthesis to the end
272
of the column experiments. It has been reported that different phosphate groups in TiP systems
273
were characterized with different chemical shifts. For H-TiP materials (in proton form), the
274
resonance lines of –H2PO4 ion-exchange units are observed in the range of -5 to -11 ppm, while
275
the lines corresponding to −HPO4 groups are expected to be up to -25 ppm. The resonance line of
276
–PO4 groups would appear between -25 to -35 ppm and finally, poly/pyrophosphate groups would
31
P
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Page 14 of 34
277
be observed from -35 to -55 ppm
. Regarding the Na form of TiP, the chemical shifts for
278
−PO4/−HPO4/−H2PO4 are expected to shift towards lower frequencies due to the presence of Na+
279
ions 34.
280
Figure 2a displays the 31P NMR spectrum of LTP before the post synthetic treatment with HCl. A
281
sharp resonance line is observed at -18.8 ppm which is characteristic of –HPO4 ion-exchange units
282
in α-TiP. The two weaker and broader lines at -15.6 ppm and -30.4 ppm are assigned to –HPO4 and
283
–PO4 groups, respectively. The spectrum of LTP after the washing process with HCl (in Figure 2b)
284
shows two resonance lines: one broad line centered at -7.0 ppm and one narrow line at -18.7 ppm,
285
attributed to –H2PO4 and –HPO4 groups, respectively
286
corresponds to the more crystalline α-TiP phase in the material and it can be seen that this phase is
287
not affected by the successive HCl rinses, as expected. On the other hand, protonation of the
288
phosphate groups from the more amorphous phase is observed during the post synthetic treatment;
289
where the two broad lines of hydrophosphate and phosphates groups (Figure 2a) are replaced by
290
one broad line corresponding to the presence of dihydrophospate groups. This resonance line (at -
291
7.0 ppm) corresponds to the –H2PO4 groups present in the TiP1 unit of the material. The
292
deconvolution data of the 31P NMR spectra of LTP reveals equality of the two P-exchange units.
293
Therefore, it can be confirmed that there is a 1:1 ratio of the two phases (α-TiP and TiP1) present
294
in the new sorbent (LTP).
295
The 31P NMR spectrum of the sodium form of LTP (Na-LTP) in Figure 2c displays one intensive
296
isotropic line at -14.8 ppm and one broader line with two narrow vertices at 5.6 and 2.6 ppm. The
297
sharp line at -14.8 ppm corresponds to the presence of –HPO4 groups and originates from the α-
298
TiP units. The chemical shift difference with the H-LTP spectrum comes from the difference in the
299
31
300
As for the TiP1 units, the broader line can be related to three phases that are coexisting during the
17
. The sharp resonance line at -18.8
P local environment of the –HPO4 groups, due to different Ti−O−P angles and/or bond distances.
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being
TiO(OH)(NaHPO4)•H2O
sodium
302
TiO(OH)(Na2PO4)•H2O11–13. Due to the quadrupolar nature of Na nuclei and their closeness to the
303
P-units as well as the overlapping signals of the different sodium dihydro and hydro-phosphate
304
units, the 31P MAS NMR data for the amorphous Na-TiP1 phase is relatively broad and complex.
305
After the sixth column regeneration with HCl (Figure 2d), the 31P signal belonging to α-TiP units
306
remains almost unchanged indicating that –HPO4 groups are not involved in the ion-exchange
307
process. The broad
308
units is observed from 10 to -12.5 ppm. This indicates that TiP1 units can be regenerated to H-form
309
and can be used for further sorption cycles. The sodium dihydro and hydro-phosphate groups are
310
still present in the material as about 60 % of the Na+ uptake is exchanged. The signal to noise in
311
this 31P NMR spectra is considerably higher, most likely due to minimal amount of paramagnetic
312
nickel(II) ions left in the sorbent and that could not be entirely desorbed.
313
uptake,
TiO(OH)(H2PO4)•H2O,
301
31
and
P resonance line covering the area of Na2PO4//NaHPO4//H2PO4-exchange
TGA data
314 315 316
Figure 3. TGA and DTG (derivative of the TG curve) data for LTP (solid lines, right) and for a mixed sample A (α-TiP : TiP1 = 1:1) (dotted line, left).
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317
The thermogravimetric data of LTP are shown in Figure 3. For comparison, the thermogravimetric
318
data of a mixed sample corresponding to a 1: 1 molar ratio of α-TiP and TiP1 (sample A) are also
319
displayed in Figure 3. The total weight loss for LTP and for sample A was recorded to be 17.8 and
320
17.5 %, respectively, supporting the fact that LTP consists of two phases (TiP1 and α-TiP) present
321
in equimolar amount. In the thermogram of sample A (Figure 3, left), the first weight loss of 5.9
322
%, observed at 58 °C, is attributed to the release of lattice water in the sample. The number of these
323
water molecules is estimated to be about 0.75 molecules of water per mole of sample A. The second
324
weight loss of 6.9 % is observed at 174 °C. This value is in good agreement with the theoretical
325
value of 6.5 % calculated if the polycondensation of hydroxo and dihydro-phosphates groups in
326
the TiP1 unit is considered as the next thermal step 11. Finally, the last weight loss of 4.7 % observed
327
at 415 °C could correspond to the theoretical value of 4.6% for the condensation of the hydro-
328
phosphates groups in the α-TiP phase. Previously reported thermograms of α-TiP revealed a similar
329
pyrolytic process weight loss in the range of 250-700 °C
330
inclined to condensate first due to the presence of accessible OH- groups while the pyrolytic process
331
of the rigid α-TiP structure would initiate at higher temperatures.
332
In Figure 3, the thermogram of LTP displays four steps of weight losses with three of them being
333
somewhat similar to the steps observed for sample A. The first weight loss of 5.3 % ranges from
334
30 to 120 °C and can be attributed to the lattice water in LTP. The second weight loss (6.6 %)
335
consists of two small shoulders at 169 °C and 218 °C, while the third weight loss (4.9 %) is
336
observed at 436 °C. The last weight loss consists of a smaller step of 1 % and can be seen at 732
337
°C. By looking at the weight losses, it seems that some of the lattice water is condensed above 120
338
°C and that the polycondensation of the dihydro and hydro-phosphate groups in the two phases is
339
occurring simultaneously. The DTG curve of LTP displays broader and more complex peaks than
16,17
. It seems that TiP1 units are more
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340
for sample A and the increase in the temperature for the polycondensation of the phosphates
341
indicates a linkage between the two different units in the LTP ion-exchanger. This can be related
342
to the possibilities of the two phases being connecting via either oxo/hydroxo bridge(s) or inner-
343
sphere H2O complexation through the common TiO6 edges.
344
Batch experiments: sodium uptake and revisited kinetics
345
The ion-exchange capacity is one of the most important parameters of a sorbent. For TiP systems,
346
the maximum exchange capacity is often evaluated as alkaline ions uptake such as sodium ions 19.
347
The sodium ions (Na+) uptake by LTP was found to be 2.85 meq.g-1. This value is in good agreement
348
with the previously published data of TiP1 where the sodium uptake of LTP would correspond to
349
3.1 meq.g-1, if the ratio 1:1 is considered 11,12. Bearing in mind the fact that 60 % of Na+ is expected
350
to be exchanged, one could calculate the actual ion-exchange capacity of Na- LTP, as an IECcalc of
351
1.71 meq.g-1.
352 353 354
Figure 4. Non-linear fits of experimental kinetics data (o) for the sorption of Ni2+ ions on TiP1 using the pseudo-first order (···) and pseudo-second order (---).
355 356
All kinetics data of TiP1 were re-analyzed according to the non-linear approach of the pseudo
357
first and pseudo second order laws described by Simonin (Simonin, 2016). The experimental data 17
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Page 18 of 34
358
points close to the equilibrium were not taken into consideration. It has been demonstrated that
359
linear kinetics approaches tend to favor the pseudo-second order due to the mathematical
360
expression and therefore kinetics data should be preferably processed using the non-linear fits as
361
described in the section “Batch experiments: Revisited kinetics”.
362
The results of the modeling of the experimental data can be found in Figure 4. All parameters
363
(kinetic rate constants and coefficients of determination) obtained from the non-linear and the
364
linear approaches can be found in Table S2. The simulation using the pseudo-first order gives a
365
constant k1 of 0.209 min-1 and a coefficient of determination (R2) of 0.9783; while the pseudo-
366
second order fit gives a constant k2* of 0.400 min-1 (which is equivalent to k2 = 0.013 g.mg-1.min-
367
1
368
which would indicate that both models could well describe the experimental data. The constant k1
369
found for the pseudo-first order data is close to the one published by Trublet et al. obtained with
370
the linear fits (0.225 min-1). Similar observations are made for the constant k2 calculated where the
371
non-linear fit gave similar value to the previously published data obtained with the linear fits
372
(0.0132 g.mg-1.min-1). Taking a closer look at Figure 4, the pseudo-second order appears to better
373
describe the sorption kinetics data of Ni2+ ions on TiP1, despite a coefficient of determination close
374
to 1 for both models. Similar observations were made for sorption of Co2+ and Cu2+ ions on TiP1
375
using the non-linear regression analyses (Figure S1).
376
This is a stronger proof that the pseudo-second order governs the kinetics in the sorption process
377
of these transition metal ions on TiP1 and that chemisorption is the rate limiting step.
378
Based on the 31P MAS NMR and the sodium uptake, LTP is expected to behave similarly to TiP1
379
and therefore, the column experiments were designed following the batch kinetics data of TiP1.
) and a R2 of 0.9978. The coefficients of determination are in the same range and very close to 1
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Column experiments
380
381
In batch experiments, it was found that for an initial concentration of 2.5 mM in nickel(II) ions, the
382
sorption equilibrium was reached within 10 min. This corresponds to a flow rate of 54 mL/hour in
383
the described fixed bed column of this study. The effects of the initial concentration and of the flow
384
rate on the sorption equilibrium were investigated as discussed below. Effect of the flow rate
385
C/C0 1.0
1.0
0.9
0.9
0.8
0.8
0.7
0.7
0.6
C/C0
0.6 54 mL/hour
0.5
78 mL/hour
0.4
54 mL/hour
0.4
0.3
0.3
0.2
0.2
0.1
96 mL/hour
0.5
(a)
(b)
0.1
0.0
0.0 0.0
20.0
40.0
60.0 80.0 Time, hours
0.0
10.0
20.0 30.0 Time, hours
386
Figure 5. Breakthrough curves for Ni2+ ions sorption on LTP at various flow rates; (a) C0 = 2.5
387
mM and (b) C0 = 5.0 mM. For all cases, the solid line (−) represents the calculations
388
using Thomas model.
389
Figure 5 shows the sorption breakthrough curves of Ni2+ ions on TiP1 at different flow rates for an
390
initial Ni2+ ions concentration of C0= 2.5 mmol/L (Figure 5a) and C0= 5.0 mmol/L (Figure 5b). The
391
solid lines represent the data calculated from the Thomas model.
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Page 20 of 34
392
At the beginning of the experiments, the concentrations in Ni2+ ions in the effluent is very low since
393
the ions are sorbed onto the LTP column. At a certain point (breakthrough point), the concentration
394
of Ni2+ ions starts increasing as the sorbent becomes less effective; the process continues until the
395
column exhaustion point is reached (point where the sorbent is considered to be practically
396
saturated) and where the concentration of Ni2+ ions at the inlet and outlet of the column are nearly
397
identical (C/C0 ≈ 1). With a high flow rate, the breakthrough point occurs sooner and the amount
398
of exchanged Ni2+ ions could decrease (if the solute residence time is not long enough for the
399
sorption equilibrium to take place) resulting in nickel ions passing by the column beds before
400
equilibrium occurs
401
breakthrough curve as sharp as possible and to maintain the sorption capacity of LTP high.
402
Mathematically, in BV-units, this means a big BV-number before the breakthrough point and as
403
small as possible after it.
404
The European regulations for the maximum allowance of Ni2+ ions in drinking water is about 0.02
405
mg/L (i.e. 0.34 .10-5 mmol/L)
406
experimental data at which the effluent concentrations at the outlet of the column reach 0.34 .10-5
407
mmol/L. It can be seen that for the same concentration, the breakthrough volume (corresponding
408
to the breakthrough point) decreases with increase of the flow rate, as higher amount of effluent
409
passes through the sorbent in a shorter time, resulting in a faster saturation of the beds.
410
In Figure 5a (C0 = 2.5 mM), the breakthrough volume is estimated to be ca. 450 mL (i.e 56 BV)
411
for both flow rates, Q = 78 and 54 mL/hour. The breakthrough curve at a flow rate of 78 mL/h is
412
considerably sharper with an exhaustion point of 12 h versus 48 h for the flow rate of 54 mL/h.
413
The solute volume between the breakthrough and the exhaustion points is much larger (ca. 268
414
BV) for the lowest flow rate (Q = 54 mL/h) than for the Q = 78 mL/h (ca. 61 BV). For these
415
conditions the IEC (in Table 1) are calculated from the column data to be 1.7 meq.g-1 and 0.8 meq.g-
35,36
. To achieve the best column efficiency, it is desirable to have the
37
. In Figure 5, the breakthrough points correspond to the
20
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416
1
417
of 2.5 mmol/L, the flow rate of 78 mL/h is too high for the sorption process to reach equilibrium.
418
This is in good agreement with the kinetics data in batch experiments, where a contact time of 10
419
min for C0= 2.5 mmol/L was found for Ni2+ ions, which corresponded to a flow rate of 54 mL/h in
420
the present column design.
421
Similar observations can be seen in Figure 5b for the initial concentration C0 = 5.0 mM. The
422
breakthrough curve for the highest flow rate (Q = 96 mL/h) is sharper than for the lowest (Q = 54
423
mL/h). The breakthrough volume calculated is around 580 mL (i.e 73 BV) in both cases. In other
424
words, this means that a higher flow rate would ensure faster running time and similar amount of
425
Ni2+ ions uptaken below 0.34 .10-5 mmol/L (EU recommendations). The IEC for both cases is
426
calculated to be 1.6 meq.g-1 which shows that in the case of C0 = 5.0 mmol/L, a high flow rate (96
427
mL/h) is preferable for the sorption of Ni2+ ions onto LTP.
for Q = 54 mL/h and Q = 78 mL/h, respectively. This shows that for an initial nickel concentration
428 429
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Page 22 of 34
Effect of the Ni2+ concentration in the feed solution
430
C/C0
1.0 0.9 0.8 0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4
2.5 mmol/L
0.3
5 mmol/L
0.2 0.1 0.0 0.0 431
20.0
40.0
60.0 80.0 Time, hours
432
Figure 6. Breakthrough curves for Ni2+ ions sorption on LTP at various concentrations with a flow
433
rate Q = 54 mL/h. For all cases, the solid line (−) represents the calculations using
434
Thomas model.
435
The influence of the concentration of Ni2+ ions is also studied and data are shown in Figure 6. The
436
breakthrough curve at higher concentration (C0 =5.0 mM) is sharper than at lower concentration
437
(C0 = 2.5 mM), as expected. The breakthrough volumes is estimated to 580 mL (i.e 73 BV) and
438
450 mL (i.e 56 BV), respectively. This indicates that more Ni2+ ions are being exchanged below
439
the EU regulations in the case of C0 =5.0 mM, despite a similar IEC observed on the overall
440
sorption process for both concentrations. This can be explained by the sharper breakthrough curve
441
observed for the highest concentrations (C0 =5.0 mM) and therefore a faster sorption process.
442
The Thomas approach was used to model the experimental points and the fittings can be seen in
443
Figure 5 and Figure 6. The Thomas model is a mathematical description of performances in cation 22
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444
exchange column in which the rate of the exchange is determined by a second order law. The
445
intraparticle diffusion and the external resistance during the mass transfer processes are considered
446
to be negligible by the model 26. It can be seen that the Thomas model fits well the experimental
447
data which is in good agreement with previously kinetics data on TiP1 sorbent where the pseudo
448
second order kinetics was found to be the best model to describe the sorption process. The ion-
449
exchange capacities found from the Thomas model (qTh in Table 1) are in good agreement with the
450
ion-exchange capacities determined experimentally (IEC in Table 1) with less than 1.5 % deviation.
451
452
Table 1. Sorption performances of LTP (C0:initial concentration, Q:flow rate, IECexp:
453
Experimental ion-exchange capacity, Y:column performance, qTh: IEC calculated with
454
the Thomas model, E: efficiency of the column) (n.a. not applicable). Cycles
1
2
3
4
5
6
C0, mmol/L
2.5 5.0 2.5 5.0 5.0 5.0
Q, mL/h
54
96
78
54
54
54
Y, %
99
94
47
94
64
70
IECexp, meq.g-1 1.7 1.6 0.8 1.6 1.1 1.2 qTh, meq.g-1
1.7 1.4 0.7 1.5 n.a n.a
E, %
63
66
78
80
62
75
455
456
Table 1 summarizes the sorption performances of the LTP sorbent through the six sorption cycles.
457
The yield of the column (Y %) is calculated with respect to the theoretical ion-exchange capacity
458
calculated from the Na+ uptake of LTP (IECcalc) which is estimated to be ca. 1.71 meq.g-1 (see 23
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Page 24 of 34
459
section sodium uptake). A low yield signifies that not all sorption sites are saturated. The first
460
cycle was designed according to previously published batch kinetics data of TiP1 12. The flow rate
461
was chosen so that the contact time in the column was optimized to 10 min for an initial
462
concentration of 2.5 mmol/L. Under these conditions, the experimental ion-exchange capacity of
463
1.7 meq.g-1 reaches 99 % (Y) of the theoretical ion-exchange capacity (1.71 meq.g-1). The total
464
removal percent of Ni2+ ions from the feed solution that has passed through the column (E) is
465
estimated to be around 63 % due to larger 𝑞𝑁𝑖 2+ ,𝑡𝑜𝑡 (resulting in more tilted breakthrough curve).
466
Cycle 3 represents the effect of an increased flow rate under the same concentration conditions. In
467
this case, the efficiency (E) was calculated to be 78 % although the yield (Y) of the column dropped
468
down to 47 %, as a result of a shorter contact time between the nickel(II) ions and the LTP beds
469
(inability to reach sorption equilibrium). In order to get a higher E, multiple cycles and/or multiple
470
columns would be required providing that the flow rate and the concentration are optimized. For
471
example, in cycle 4, the concentration is raised to 5.0 mmol/L compared to cycle 1 and the
472
percentage of Ni2+ ions retained from the feed solution is 80 % (E), which is the highest recorded
473
for all cycles. The ion-exchange capacity recorded is 1.6 meq.g-1, which corresponds to a high
474
column yield of 94 % (Y). Furthermore, the second cycle involves the highest flow rate and
475
concentration used in this study. In this case, the yield (Y) is also determined to be 94 % which is
476
similar to cycle 4 but the removal percentage of Ni2+ from the feed solution (E) decreased down to
477
66 %, which discloses the importance of optimizing both the flow rates and the concentrations
478
when designing a column. Consequently, the optimal conditions for the sorption of Ni2+ ions on
479
LTP in a continuous mode and the current column design are revealed in cycle 4 (high E and high
480
Y). Two more cycles at these optimal conditions were run and a decrease in the yield is observed
481
down to 64 and 70 % for cycle 5 and 6, respectively. This is most likely due to some residual nickel
24
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Page 25 of 34
482
left in the sorbent that could not be totally desorbed (as indicated by the NMR data; refer to 31P
483
MAS NMR section) and with time could limit the access to the sorbent-exchange sites. It can be
484
concluded that the LTP ion-exchanger could be sufficiently regenerated for at least four times
485
(where the IEC is kept high) and if required additionally two more times with a decreased IEC. Desorption studies
486
5.0
50.0 [HCl] = 0.05 M
40.0
C, mmol/L
C, mmol/L
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 32 33 34 35 36 37 38 39 40 41 42 43 44 45 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
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96 mL/h
30.0 20.0 10.0 0.0
488
3.0
96 mL/h
2.0
54 mL/h
1.0 0.0
0
487
[HCl] = 0.01 M
4.0
200 400 Volume, mL
600
0
500 1000 Volume, mL
1500
Figure 7. Desorption profiles of Ni2+ ions during LTP regeneration using HCl at different concentrations and flow rates.
489
Desorption experiments with HCl were performed and the curves are shown in Figure 7. The first
490
desorption experiment with 0.05 M HCl at a flow rate of 96 mL/h was performed after the second
491
cycle while the desorption studies with 0.01 M HCl at 96 mL/h and 54 mL/h were performed after
492
the third and fourth cycles, respectively. The first desorption of LTP with 0.05 M HCl (Figure 7,
493
left) occurs in a volume range of about 250 mL which is equivalent to a bed volume of 31 BV. The
494
amount of Ni2+ ions desorbed decreases almost linearly with time during the first 200 mL used and
495
the resulting Ni2+ ions concentration in the desorption batch is estimated to be about 16 mmol/L,
496
which is about 3 to 6 times more concentrated than the initial amounts used for the sorption studies
497
(2.5 and 5.0 mmol/L).
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Page 26 of 34
498
The desorption experiments with 0.01 M HCl display different profiles. The amount of Ni2+ ions
499
desorbed is at first constant forming a plateau (about 4.4 mmol/L) and then decreases nearly
500
exponentially. The desorption volumes for the flow rates of 96 mL/h and 54 mL/h are about 600
501
mL (i.e 75 BV) and 1050 mL (i.e 131 BV), respectively. The smaller volume collected is related
502
to the experimental conditions of the third sorption cycle (Y ca. 47 %). Only half of the nickel(II)
503
ions have been uptaken and thus much less volume is required to desorb the ions completely. The
504
flow rate does not seem to play a major role in the shape of the desorption curves as similar
505
sharpness and behavior are observed. On the other hand, when diluted acid is used (Q = 54 or 96
506
mL/h), about four times more volume is needed to completely convert the sorbent into the H-form.
507
This also corresponds to a desorbed nickel(II) amount of 3.5 mmol/L. Such a difference between
508
the starting Ni2+ concentration (of 2.5 or 5.0 mmol/L) and the final one could not justify the process
509
costs and would result in a secondary pollution. Therefore, the highest acid concentration (0.05 M
510
HCl) is preferable for LTP regeneration by HCL.
511
The sorbent was then converted to its sodium form using 0.5 M Na2CO3 before starting a new
512
cycle.
513
Chelating ion-exchange resins (such as Lewatit TP 207) have shown to be effective in removing
514
nickel ions from groundwaters. The IEC exchange capacity for such resins ranges from 0.65 to 1.9
515
meq.g-1 depending on the operating conditions: batch or column, ionic form (Na, Ca or H-forms),
516
flow rate and Ni2+ ions concentrations in the feed solution. They are often regenerated using 2-4 M
517
HCl and HNO3 is added when lead is present in the water 1,38. The LTP sorbent described in this
518
study displays similar or higher sorption capacities and can be regenerated using lower acid
519
concentrations.
520
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521
Very few research papers describe a complete study on the sorption performances of any sorbents
522
when it comes to continuous experiments. Data about regeneration cycles or sorption capacity (per
523
gram of sorbent) are often insufficient in order to enable comparison of sorption performances. In
524
this work, the sorption performances of a mixed type TiP ion-exchanger (LTP) in continuous
525
systems were thoroughly studied towards Ni2+ ions. The LTP ion-exchanger displayed excellent
526
continuous sorption properties that are in good agreement with the behavior in batch experiments,
527
which facilitate the prediction and the design of fixed bed columns (using batch sorption data).
528
This is a big advantage as the sorption features of LTP towards a specific ions could be first tested
529
in batch conditions (easier to implement) before planning continuous experiments. More work
530
focusing on the continuous sorption tests on amorphous TiP1 and mixture of divalent metal ions is
531
in progress and will be published elsewhere.
532 533
SUPPORTING INFORMATION
534
Kinetics data of the sorption of Co2+ and Cu2+ ions on TiP1 modeled with the non-linear approach
535
(Figure S1), Schematic representation of the column design used for the sorption of Ni2+ ions on
536
LTP (Figure S2), Fixed and variable parameters used during the whole column experiment (Table
537
S1) and comparison of the rate constant parameters together with the coefficients of determination
538
of the non-linear approach data for the pseudo-first and pseudo-second orders (Table S2).
539 540
ACKNOWLEDGMENT
541
The authors thank the Swedish Research Council Formas and Boliden Mineral AB for financial
542
support of this work. The authors acknowledge the LTU-based Centre of Advanced Mining and
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Metallurgy (CAMM2) for their part in financial support. We would also like to thank Prof. Jean-
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Pierre Simonin for his valuable advice in re-analyzing the kinetics data. The foundation in memory
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of J.C. Kempe and S.M. Kempe and LTU funds are acknowledged for grants used to upgrade the
546
NMR spectrometer to a Bruker Ascend Aeon WB 400 spectrometer.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS For Table of contents use only Good correlation between column experiments and batch sorption data with the same ionexchange capacity over at least four cycles.
669 670 671
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