From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite
Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a significant public health concern, with As(III) posing a greater and more challenging risk than As(V) due to its higher toxicity, mobility, and weaker adsorption affinity. Fe-Mn-based adsorbents offer a promising solution, simultaneously oxidizing As(III) to...
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MDPI AG
2025-07-01
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| Series: | Nanomaterials |
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| author | Jasmina Nikić Jovana Jokić Govedarica Malcolm Watson Đorđe Pejin Aleksandra Tubić Jasmina Agbaba |
| author_facet | Jasmina Nikić Jovana Jokić Govedarica Malcolm Watson Đorđe Pejin Aleksandra Tubić Jasmina Agbaba |
| author_sort | Jasmina Nikić |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Arsenic contamination in groundwater is a significant public health concern, with As(III) posing a greater and more challenging risk than As(V) due to its higher toxicity, mobility, and weaker adsorption affinity. Fe-Mn-based adsorbents offer a promising solution, simultaneously oxidizing As(III) to As(V), enhancing its adsorption. This study evaluates an Fe-Mn nanocomposite across typical batch (20 mg of adsorbent), fixed-bed column (28 g), and pilot-scale (2.5 kg) studies, bridging the gap between laboratory and real-world applications. Batch experiments yielded maximum adsorption capacities of 6.25 mg/g and 4.71 mg/g in a synthetic matrix and real groundwater, respectively, demonstrating the impact of the water matrix on adsorption. Operational constraints and competing anions led to a lower capacity in the pilot (0.551 mg/g). Good agreement was observed between the breakthrough curves in the pilot (breakthrough at 475 bed volumes) and the fixed-bed column studies (365–587 bed volumes) under similar empty bed contact times (EBCTs). The Thomas, Adams–Bohart, and Yoon–Nelson models demonstrated that lower flow rates and extended EBCTs significantly enhance arsenic removal efficiency, prolonging the operational lifespan. Our findings demonstrate the necessity of continuous-flow experiments using real contaminated water sources and the importance of optimizing flow conditions, EBCTs, and pre-treatment in order to successfully scale up Fe-Mn-based adsorbents for sustainable arsenic removal. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-a19bb066acb34366be5cf261069a00f4 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2079-4991 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-07-01 |
| publisher | MDPI AG |
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| series | Nanomaterials |
| spelling | doaj-art-a19bb066acb34366be5cf261069a00f42025-08-20T03:56:47ZengMDPI AGNanomaterials2079-49912025-07-011514110410.3390/nano15141104From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based NanocompositeJasmina Nikić0Jovana Jokić Govedarica1Malcolm Watson2Đorđe Pejin3Aleksandra Tubić4Jasmina Agbaba5Department of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaDepartment of Chemistry, Biochemistry and Environmental Protection, Faculty of Sciences, University of Novi Sad, Trg Dositeja Obradovića 3, 21000 Novi Sad, SerbiaArsenic contamination in groundwater is a significant public health concern, with As(III) posing a greater and more challenging risk than As(V) due to its higher toxicity, mobility, and weaker adsorption affinity. Fe-Mn-based adsorbents offer a promising solution, simultaneously oxidizing As(III) to As(V), enhancing its adsorption. This study evaluates an Fe-Mn nanocomposite across typical batch (20 mg of adsorbent), fixed-bed column (28 g), and pilot-scale (2.5 kg) studies, bridging the gap between laboratory and real-world applications. Batch experiments yielded maximum adsorption capacities of 6.25 mg/g and 4.71 mg/g in a synthetic matrix and real groundwater, respectively, demonstrating the impact of the water matrix on adsorption. Operational constraints and competing anions led to a lower capacity in the pilot (0.551 mg/g). Good agreement was observed between the breakthrough curves in the pilot (breakthrough at 475 bed volumes) and the fixed-bed column studies (365–587 bed volumes) under similar empty bed contact times (EBCTs). The Thomas, Adams–Bohart, and Yoon–Nelson models demonstrated that lower flow rates and extended EBCTs significantly enhance arsenic removal efficiency, prolonging the operational lifespan. Our findings demonstrate the necessity of continuous-flow experiments using real contaminated water sources and the importance of optimizing flow conditions, EBCTs, and pre-treatment in order to successfully scale up Fe-Mn-based adsorbents for sustainable arsenic removal.https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1104arsenicdrinking waterFe-Mn nanocompositepilot scalebreakthrough modelsadsorption capacity |
| spellingShingle | Jasmina Nikić Jovana Jokić Govedarica Malcolm Watson Đorđe Pejin Aleksandra Tubić Jasmina Agbaba From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite Nanomaterials arsenic drinking water Fe-Mn nanocomposite pilot scale breakthrough models adsorption capacity |
| title | From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite |
| title_full | From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite |
| title_fullStr | From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite |
| title_full_unstemmed | From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite |
| title_short | From Batch to Pilot: Scaling Up Arsenic Removal with an Fe-Mn-Based Nanocomposite |
| title_sort | from batch to pilot scaling up arsenic removal with an fe mn based nanocomposite |
| topic | arsenic drinking water Fe-Mn nanocomposite pilot scale breakthrough models adsorption capacity |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2079-4991/15/14/1104 |
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