Abstract

The synthesis of zeolites from natural mordenite, their subsequent forming process, and their evaluation in a Cr(III) removal process from tannery wastewater is presented. Mordenite is an abundant naturally occurring zeolite with relatively low cation exchange properties. Zeolite synthesis from mordenite was carried out in a larger reactor than commonly employed autoclaves. Synthesized products were identified by X-ray diffraction (XRD), and zeolite extrudates were characterized by their chromium exchange capacity (CrEC), mechanical, and textural properties, which were optimized as a function of binder composition. A FAU zeolite-rich product was obtained under controlled synthesis conditions. FAU-type zeolite is a nanoporous material (pore opening of ∼0.74 nm), which presents high cation exchange capacity. The use of silicate-urea-based binders enabled the production of FAU-type zeolite extrudates with CrEC (0.64 mEq·g -1) and compressive strength (143 kg·m -2) appropriate for their use in Cr(III) removal processes from aqueous solution; these values were as high as those found for commercial zeolite extrudates (0.65 mEq·g -1 and 66 kg·m -2, respectively). Columns packed with the prepared zeolite extrudates, exhibited high performance for Cr(III) removal from synthetic and diluted tannery wastewater (pH 3.5). Thus, FAU-type zeolite extrudates obtained from natural mordenite appear as promising ion exchangers for tannery wastewater treatment and as a feasible alternative to the commercial ion exchangers. © Mary Ann Liebert, Inc. 2007.