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Use of biopolymers for the removal of heavy metals produced by the oil industry-A feasibility study

Abstract:

The possibility of using lignin from the paper industry's black liquor to absorb nickel (Ni) and vanadium (V), was studied. The work comprised two stages: first, the identification of lignin's main functional groups and the surface characterization of the solid; second, an experimental study of lignin's behavior towards the Ni and V cations. Results revealed the presence of aromatic groups as well as substituted methoxy groups on the lignin's surface. This explains lignin's adsorptive capacity exhibited in the experimental evaluations. The removal of Ni and V ions was higher than expected solely through the physical adsorption mechanism. This higher capacity is associated with a proposed complex formation on the surface of the lignin. For Ni(II), lignin showed a higher adsorption compared to commercial adsorbents. In the case of V, the behavior is reversed, in order to elucidate this result, further research is recommended. © Springer Science + Business Media, LLC 2006.