No CrossRef data available.
Published online by Cambridge University Press: 01 February 2011
A comparative study of different sorbent materials was performed in order to propose an integrated system to eliminate both, anionic and cationic contaminant ions in drinking water, such as Cr (VI) and BTEX (benzene, toluene, ethylbenzene and xylenes). The adsorption process was studied using several adsorbents: activated carbon, cationic clays (bentonite) and natural zeolite as well as anionic clays (Al-Mg/Nitrate hydrotalcites). The activated carbon and natural zeolites were commercial samples, while hydrotalcite-like compounds were synthesized by an ultrasound-assisted method. It was found that although activated carbon showed a good performance in the cationic sorption, the calcined hydrotalcites presented the highest sorption capacity of chromates compared with activated carbon which had a good performance only up to 100 ppm. For higher concentrations (>100 ppm) activated carbon is saturated rapidly and its sorptive capacity is practically null.