Use of by-products of the steelmaking industry for removing Pb2+ ions from aqueous effluents

Abstract

A study is made of the use of rolling mill scale and blast furnace sludge as adsorbents for removing Pb2+ ions from aqueous solutions. The adsorption of Pb2+ on these materials has been studied by the determination of adsorption isotherms. Different variables that affect the process (contact time, initial lead ion concentration and temperature) were evaluated. The adsorption processes are analysed using the Langmuir theory. Desorption processes for the metal from loaded by-products were also studied under several experimental conditions.