Removal of heavy metal ions by carrier magnetic separation of adsorptive particulates

The removal of Pb, Cu, and Cd ions from diluted solutions by sorption onto clinoptilolite, together with magnetite_Fe(OH)3 coprecipitation and magnetic filtration, was studied at laboratory scale. Low concentrations of clinoptilolite fines were used as heavy metal ion sorbent, while low dosages of magnetite fines were used as magnetic carrier materials. In addition, hydrolyzed Fe3+ was used as coagulant. The magnetic clinoptilolite_magnetite_Fe(OH)3 aggregates were removed by magnetic filtration. Experimental results showed that the process was very rapid and effective and yielded clear solutions with low residual concentrations of heavy metals.