The removal of hydrogen sulfide in solution by ferric and alum water treatment residuals

This work investigated the characteristics and mechanisms of hydrogen sulfide adsorption by ferric and alum water treatment residuals (FARs) in solution. The results indicated that FARs had a high hydrogen sulfide adsorption capacity. pH 7 rather than higher pH (e.g. pH 8–10) was favorable for hydrogen sulfide removal. The Yan model fitted the breakthrough curves better than the Thomas model under varied pH values and concentrations. The Brunauer–Emmett–Teller surface area and the total pore volume of the FARs decreased after the adsorption of hydrogen sulfide. In particular, the volume of pores with a radius of 3–5 nm decreased, while the volume of pores with a radius of 2 nm increased. Therefore, it was inferred that new adsorption sites were generated during the adsorption process. The pH of the FARs increased greatly after adsorption. Moreover, differential scanning calorimetry analysis indicated that elemental sulfur was present in the FARs, while the derivative thermal gravimetry curves indicated the presence of sulfuric acid and sulfurous acid. These results indicated that both oxidization and ligand exchange contribute to the removal of hydrogen sulfide by FARs. Under anaerobic conditions, the maximum amount of hydrogen sulfide released was approximately 0.026 mg g−1, which was less than 0.19% of the total amount adsorbed by the FARs. The hydrogen sulfide that was released may be re-adsorbed by the FARs and transformed into more stable mineral forms. Therefore, FARs are an excellent adsorbent for hydrogen sulfide.

► Water treatment residuals (WTRs) have a high hydrogen sulfide adsorption capacity.
► The hydrogen sulfide removal is attributed to oxidization and ligand exchange.
► The adsorbed hydrogen sulfide is stable in WTRs under anaerobic conditions.