Document Type

Poster

Publication Date

Spring 4-13-2020

Abstract

Many natural water sources and industrial wastewaters contain low concentrations of metals and other contaminants. Therefore, an effective and economical approach is needed for contaminant removal and recovery. The purpose of the research is to improve and modify a continuous flow metal recovery system, that was originally developed for acid mine drainage treatment, for expansion to a variety of non-industrial applications, including removal metal ions from the Upper Clark Fork River Watershed. The system employs an electromagnet to collect magnetically susceptible nanoscale particles, which in turn adsorb metal ions. Metal ion capture has been examined using natural magnetite nanoparticles (Fe3O4 NPs), silica-coated Fe3O4 NPs, and chitosancoated Fe3O4 NPs. Current research is focused on particle synthesis and maximizing contaminant capture efficiency. Preliminary results indicate that silica-coated NPs are more effective than magnetite and chitosancoated NPs for copper recovery from surrogate solutions at low copper concentrations.

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