Removal of heavy metals from contaminated water using modified bayer hydrotalcites

Overview

Topic status: In progress

Project description

In Australia widespread land and water contamination threatens the health of Australian ecosystems. Contaminants are introduced into waterways by industrial activities, mining operations, agriculture, and accidental leakage. Of particular concern are heavy metals that are generally found in numerous mining industries. Australian industries release significant quantities of pollutants into the environment, which costs more than $300 million per year in containment and decontamination. Therefore, the development of inexpensive materials for the purification of industrial wastewaters is required. This project intends to develop enhanced adsorbent materials, prepared from an industrial waste material (Bayer liquor) and seawater, for the decontamination of environments affected by Australian industries and treatment of industrial wastewater storage facilities to minimise the threat on surrounding environments and communities.

Research activities

This project will develop Bayer hydrotalcites (formed from Bayer liquor and seawater) with customised interlayer regions, containing multiple chelating agents, for the simultaneous removal of heavy metals from wastewaters. The project aims to change the surface properties of Bayer hydrotalcites, using chelating agents that will allow for the removal of cationic ions (heavy metals) instead of anionic ions. It is envisioned that modified Bayer hydrotalcites could be used for the purification of contaminated wastewaters based on its heavy metal composition using metal selective chelating agents. This project will involve, among other aspects, the quantification and optimisation of the performance of these modified Bayer hydrotalcites in relation to heavy metal removal from different Australian industrial wastewaters. Students working on this project will coordinate tests with Rio Tinto Alcan.

The project objectives are to:

  • synthesise and characterise Bayer hydrotalcite with different interlayer regions
  • determine the adsorption capacity of the different Bayer hydrotalcite for a range of heavy metals
  • assess the different pathways for intercalating heavy metals
  • estimate the feasibility of the adsorption material on an industrial scale.
The project duration is for up to 8 weeks and specific times can be tailored to the individual needs of the student (generally between the hours of 9am and 5pm) within the general time period mid-November to mid-February. A top up scholarship may be available for this project and will be confirmed closer before the project commences.
Study level
PhD, Masters, Honours
Supervisors
QUT
Organisational unit

Science and Engineering Faculty

Research area

Chemistry

Keywords
mining, contamination
Contact
Please contact a supervisor for enquiries.