Investigation of adsorption properties of modified DD kaolins to microporous material type 13X zeolite in treatment of textile industry effluent: experiments and theoretical approach

Abstract

Abstract: The textile industry has experienced significant advances accompanied by the production of large volumes of polluted water released into the environment, which requires treatment that varies according to the nature of the pollutants. The present work aimed at testing 13X type zeolites synthesized from Djebel Debagh DD1, DD2, and DD3 kaolins in order to remove dyes and other pollutants from the effluent of the COTITEX textile industry (Batna, Algeria). Several experimental parameters were studied (pH, temperature, initial concentration, mass of adsorbent) and physicochemical characterization was carried out on the synthesized adsorbents and the effluent to be treated. The 13X zeolites synthesized from DD1, DD2, and DD3 kaolins were characterized using X-ray diffraction (XRD), Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Adsorption experiments were performed using the anionic dye present in the effluent and using real textile effluent. The results showed that the dye adsorption is efficient and feasible at ambient temperature on the 13X zeolite synthesized from DD1 kaolin compared with 13X zeolites synthesized from DD2 and DD3, with good color removal efficiency. Experiments with real textile wastewater showed a significant improvement in the physicochemical characteristics (COD, BOD5, TSS, PO43−, and NO2−) compared with the untreated effluent. Graphical abstract: [Figure not available: see fulltext.]