A novel method for removal of boron from aqueous solution using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate and d-mannitol as the collector

An original and green flotation method for separation of small amount of boron from aqueous solution has been developed using sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate as the surfactant which is no-poisonous and economical for removing boron from aqueous solution. The removal of boron from brine and other aqueous solution is of high importance because boron is harmful when recycling of high quality magnesia products from brine, and boron in waste water is also poisonous to environment. In this study, boron removal efficiencies of different combinations of surfactants and hydroxyl compounds were investigated by the orthogonal testing methodology, the hydroxyl compounds included d-mannitol, xylitol, d-fructose and D-sorbitol, the surfactants included sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate, 2-(dodecyldimethylammonio) acetate, docusate sodium, emulsifying T-60, emulsifying agent s-80 and dexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide. Then the flotation conditions were optimized including pH, relative d-mannitol dosage, relative sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) dosage, bubbling speed, stirring speed and stirring time. At last, the optimized flotation conditions were applied in the Da Qaidam brine, and the boron removal efficiency was 88.69%. This method is original to remove boron from aqueous solution by way of ion-exchange flotation and promising to be used in waste water and other fields.