Determinación de parámetros cinéticos de adsorción de mercurio sobre biomasa obtenida de cáscara de pitahaya

Abstract

The following graduationwork studies the kinetics of mercury adsorption in biomass obtained from pitahaya (Hylocereus undatus) peel. Mercury is a highly polluting metal whose risks to health and the ecosystem, if not controlled, can be devastating. On the other hand, Pitahaya peel is a highly demanded agro-industrialwaste that has not been exploited and its implementation in water treatment systems could be propitious, since adsorption is a low-cost alternative that can be implemented at a small and medium scale. The biomass obtained was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) analysis and different physicochemical tests. The quantification of mercury in solution was performed by Hydride Generation Atomic Absorption Spectroscopy (Thermo Scientific Spectrophotometer, ICE 3000 Series), using 6% sodium boron hydride and 1.53% hydrochloric acid, with Argon as a streamgas. Regarding the adsorption capacity, the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms were used, in which it was determined that the experimental data fit better to the Langmuir mathematical model, highlighting that the adsorption is favored at 40 degrees Celsius;as for its kinetics, the data were adjusted to the pseudo first and second order mathematical models, achieving that the data were coupled to the Ho Pseudo second order mathematical model;the mathematical calculations were performed using Microsoft Excel software. For the implementation of an adsorption system at a larger scale it would benecessaryto carry out a Dynamic study of the conditions to be handled.