Caracterização química e mineralógica de zeólitas naturais com potencial para aplicação em tratamentos de efluentes

Abstract

Zeolites are hydrated aluminosilicates formed by silica tetrahedral (SiO4)-4 and alumina (AlO4)-5, wherein the isomorphous substitution of Si4+ by Al3+ can be compensated by basic cations in the cavities of oxygen rings, in which water and other molecules can reversibly house. The aim of this study was to characterize and evaluate the aforementioned mineral potential in the treatment of waste water from UTFPR-PB soils lab, from the removal of potentially agricultural components. The characterization of the mineral zeolite was through the analysis of XRD and FTIR. Morphological analysis was performed by scanning electron microscopy and total chemical analysis by x-ray fluorescence. It was done yet, analysis of cation exchange capacity (CEC) and tests to evaluate the capacity to remove mineral abovementioned K+ from the waste water solution. The analysis is a mineral zeolite of clinoptilolite group, also containing heulandita. Showed high levels of SiO2 oxides, Al2O3 and CaO as main components in the test sample, and also the CaO oxides, Na2O, Fe2O3 and K2O with lower levels. The molar ratio Si/Al allowed to infer the capacity of cation exchange (CEC) of the mineral that was confirmed in laboratory 119,46 cmol.kg-1. The negative charge of every atom of aluminum compound in the zeolite helped balance between the cations, which allowed the cation K+ to move the channels being exchanged in solution. The application of zeolite in the recovery of K+ element 50 g of zeolite was 68% mineral is demonstrated that efficient in the removal of potassium.