Sulphate and molybdate ions uptake by chitin-based shrimp shells

The removal of sulphate and molybdate anions (among other anions) from mining liquid effluents is attracting much interest because of the strict environmental legislation world-wide and the need for water recycling and reuse. In this work, adsorption of sulphate and molybdate ions on chitin-based materials was investigated. Chitin flakes with various deacetylation degrees (DD) were produced from an industrial shrimp shell waste after demineralisation, deproteinisation and deacetylation steps, without further purification, immobilisation or grinding. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out as a function of pH and the best adsorbent material was selected following its chemical stability in acidic medium, degree of anions uptake and time needed for the deacetylation reaction stage. Thus, detailed sulphate adsorption studies were conducted with a chitin having a 25% DD, at various adsorbent concentrations, medium pH and other operating conditions. Best sulphate removal values (92%) were obtained at equilibrium pH 4.5, 8.5 mg mg−1 chitin/ions ratio and 15 min contact time. The adsorption data followed the Langmuir model and showed saturation values of the order of 3.2 mEq g−1. Chitin also proved to adsorb molybdate ions in the presence of sulphate ions, but reaction required longer equilibration time (60 min for the same 92% removal). Practical examples of removal of these anions were studied in actual mining effluents, attaining values of the order of 71% sulphate and 85% Mo from a Cu–Mo flotation mill effluent and 80% sulphate removal from a coal AMD––acid mines drainage (Mo free). The regeneration of the adsorbent material was possible through the anions desorption in alkaline medium. All results are discussed in terms of solution and interfacial phenomena and the practical aspects of the process, in the mining and metallurgy fields, are envisaged.