Influence of citrate ligands on ferric hydroxide nucleation at low molar ratios: Application for arsenic removal

dc.contributor.advisorTomson, Mason B.
dc.creatorZhang, Nan
dc.date.accessioned2011-07-25T02:05:07Z
dc.date.available2011-07-25T02:05:07Z
dc.date.issued2010
dc.description.abstractThe U.S. EPA recommends adding of 5-25mg/L ferric salt to remove arsenate (V) at pH 5 to 8 in water treatment plants. Citrate has been proven to inhibit ferric hydroxide floc formation and corresponding arsenic adsorption. Although most research has been conducted at high molar ratios of citrate to iron, low molar ratios were used in this work and the inhibition of floc formation remained constant above a molar ratio of 0.05. Nucleation kinetics of ferric hydroxides and arsenic removal was investigated in the presence of citrate at low molar ratios (citrate/Fe ranging from 0 to 0.28). At concentrations found in natural waters (4.5-25muM), citrate effectively inhibited ferric hydroxide nucleation and precipitation by forming a non-crystalline macromolecular complex (FeO(Fe3O12H3)Cit) detected in aqueous phase by electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS). Arsenate removal by nano magnetite was also retarded by a low concentration of citrate. The effectiveness of citrate was more significant at higher pH values. Possible mechanisms of citrate inhibition at low molar ratios were compared and discussed. This research demonstrated that the citrate impact upon arsenate removal should be considered when using the iron coagulation and precipitation method in water treatment plants.
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdf
dc.identifier.callnoTHESIS C.E. 2010 ZHANG
dc.identifier.citationZhang, Nan. "Influence of citrate ligands on ferric hydroxide nucleation at low molar ratios: Application for arsenic removal." (2010) Master’s Thesis, Rice University. <a href="https://hdl.handle.net/1911/62000">https://hdl.handle.net/1911/62000</a>.
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/1911/62000
dc.language.isoeng
dc.rightsCopyright is held by the author, unless otherwise indicated. Permission to reuse, publish, or reproduce the work beyond the bounds of fair use or other exemptions to copyright law must be obtained from the copyright holder.
dc.subjectEnvironmental engineering
dc.titleInfluence of citrate ligands on ferric hydroxide nucleation at low molar ratios: Application for arsenic removal
dc.typeThesis
dc.type.materialText
thesis.degree.departmentChemical and Biomolecular Engineering
thesis.degree.disciplineEngineering
thesis.degree.grantorRice University
thesis.degree.levelMasters
thesis.degree.nameMaster of Science
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