Process development for the removal of lead and chromium from aqueous solutions using red mud—an aluminium industry waste

Red mud, an aluminium industry waste, has been converted into an inexpensive and efficient adsorbent and used for the removal of lead and chromium from aqueous solutions. Effect of various factors on the removal of these metal ions from water ( e.g. pH, adsorbent dose, adsorbate concentration, temperature, particle size, etc.) has been studied and discussed. The effect of presence of other metal ions/surfactants on the removal of Pb2+ and Cr6+ has also been studied. The material exhibits good adsorption capacity and the data follow both Freundlich and Langmuir models. Thermodynamic parameters indicate the feasibility of the process. Kinetic studies have been performed to understand the mechanism of adsorption. Dynamic modelling of lead and chromium removal on red mud has been undertaken and found to follow first-order kinetics. The rate constant and mass transfer coefficient have also been evaluated under optimum conditions of removal in order to understand the mechanism. Column studies have been carried out to compare these with batch capacities. The recovery of Pb2+ and Cr6+ and chemical regenertion of the spent column have also been tried.