Geopolymeric filter based on metakaolin and rice husk ash for removal of chromium ions

Authors

Alvarado, Cinthya

Cavero, María

Alvarado-Quintana, Hernán

Abstract

The objective of this research was to determine the influence of the percentage of rice husk ash (CCA) and the concentration of the alkaline activator on the removal of chromium ions from geopolymer filters based on metakaolin (MK), due to the high toxicity generated by the chromium on health and the environment. The geopolymer was prepared by mixing activated rice husk ash at different percentages (0%, 10%, 20%, 30%) with kaolin at different molarities of sodium hydroxide (10M, 12M, 14M); subsequently, spheres of 4 mm in diameter were formed; was placed in the oven at a temperature of 110°C for 24 hours after 1 day of cooling, the same samples were placed in the oven at a temperature of 900°C for a time of half an hour to achieve sintering of the geopolymer. The results obtained through the adsorption process indicate that the highest percentage of chromium (VI) removal is achieved when the geopolymer is made up of metakaolin with 30% rice husk ash with an alkaline activator concentration (NaOH) of 14M with a time of 3 hours, being 54.42% the percentage of removal of chromium VI ions. This study concludes that the higher the percentage of CCA and the higher the molarity of the alkaline activator (NaOH), the higher the percentage of removal of chromium ions.