Removal of phosphate from aqueous solutions by Iron Nano Particle Resin Lewatit (FO36)

Entrance of phosphorous into the lakes leads to algae growth and eutrophication the aim of this study was to assess the efficiency of iron nano particles as a new suitable and applicable method for removal of phosphorous. In this study Lewatit FO36 resin was covered with Fe (III) nano-particles, and it was used as a new way to eliminate phosphate. Column experiments were carried out in 11 stages in fixed bed columns with constant flow rate of 9 ml/min and the empty bed contact time (EBCT) of 2.1 min. phosphate solutions with concentrations of 1 to 16 mg produced at neutral PH were used in 6 steps of experiment NaOH and NaCl solutions were used for regeneration of resin. Then the effect of competing anions, chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate and their compounds on the efficiency of the resin was assessed. Finally the efficiency of the resin for removal of phosphate from water treatment plant sewage in Ghods suburb was studied. Data were analyzed by SPSS 13 soft ware. The capacities of adsorption of phosphate, with concentrations of 1 to 16 mg, by each gram of resin were 1.31, 1.35, 1.53, 1.64, 1.7 and 1.75. The capacity of regenerated resin for removal of phosphate with a concentration of 6 mg/l was 1.6 mg for each gram of resin which showed a 8.5% decrease. The result of this study showed increased adsorptive capacity of resin with increased concentration of phosphate. Chloride, sulfate, bicarbonate ions and the combined anions had no effect on phosphate removal.