Adsorbing colloidal flotation removing metals ions in a modified jet cell

The removal of Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ ions from synthetic wastewater with a modified Jameson cell (MJC) was studied using adsorption colloidal flotation (ACF). A colloidal dispersion of Fe (OH)3 (formed in situ from FeCl3) at pH 11 was used as an adsorbent colloid to ensure full adsorption and precipitation. The precipitates were flocculated with polyacrylamide and hydrophobised with sodium oleate and pine oil as a frother during the flotation stage. In the modified jet cell, the downcomer was sealed at the bottom with a diffuser, and the re-flotation of detached flocs and the probability of bubbles/particles capture was enhanced, which improved the recovery rate. As a result, the modified Jameson cell was more efficient (higher loaded carrier recoveries) than the conventional jet cell (CJC) in removing heavy metals ions. The physico-chemical characteristics, cell design and operating parameters were studied, and the removal efficiency was evaluated by monitoring the final concentration of ions in the treated effluent. The results indicated that the removal efficiencies of the MJC were approximately 95% and 98% for dilute (Cu2+, Zn2+ and Ni2+ concentration of 2 mg/L) and concentrated wastewater (25 mg/L of each ion), respectively. The optimal parameters included a Fe+3/ion ratio of 0.5 and a minimum air flow-rate/feed flow-rate ratio of 0.18. The results are discussed in terms of the physical and physico-chemical parameters, and the findings suggested that the proposed flotation technique has great potential for the treatment of wastewater.

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► The removal of ions from wastewater was studied using the adsorption colloidal flotation technique, in a modified Jameson cell.
► The modification was the downcomer which was sealed at the bottom by a “diffuser” which, overall, improves the recovery.
► The studies were conducted using Fe (OH)3 (formed in situ from FeCl3) as the adsorbent carrier.
► Results showed that the modified jet flotation-MJC was more efficient than the conventional jet cell-CJC.
► It is believed that this flotation technique appears to have a high potential in the wastewater treatment area.