Utilisation of Clamshell Waste for Removing Mercury From Water: Fixed Bed Adsorption and Modelling Studies

Abstract

The present communication investigated the sustainable utilization of the clamshell waste powder (CSP) for eliminating mercury through fixed bed adsorption. This CSP is freshly prepared and packed in a stable multi-port column. Their breakthrough performance in the column is evaluated by varying its bed depth (5, 10, 15, 20 and 25 min) and flow rate (8, 10 and 12 mL/min). The CSP column’s design parameters and kinetic behavior are estimated from its breakthrough curve and validated using column models. The results revealed that slow saturation of the CSP bed and maximum adsorption capacity (2.8 mg/g) occurred at lower column depth (5 cm) and elevated influent flow rates (12 mL/min). Moreover, the mass transfer zone exhibited fluctuations with elevated column depth, indicating the presence of non-ideal conditions. The YN model showed superior fitness for mercury removal using CSP. The dynamic studies showed that CSP is a cost-effective, eco-friendly, biocompatible and sustainable adsorbent that can be successfully employed for treating industrial effluent.