Krzysztof Mitko

Preparation of Pectin-Based Biosorbents for Cadmium and Lead Ions Removal

The optimal formation conditions of pectin-based, as well as new hybrid pectin-guar gum, biosorbents were found. The lead affinity for obtained biosorbents was very strong even in solution of pH = 1, in opposite to cadmium, which was adsorbed from solutions of pH ≥ 2. The sorption capacities in the studied conditions were about 0.6 and 0.8 mmol/g for cadmium and lead, respectively. The cadmium removal could be fast and it is almost quantitatively desorbed using 0.25 M HNO3, while desorption of lead required 1 M HNO3 to achieve a removal efficiency of ca. 75% from pectin-based beads. The possibility of biosorbents’ reuse was also proved. Addition of guar gum to pectin biosorbent did not change its sorption properties significantly.

Use of the desalination brines in the saturation of membrane electrolysis feed

Abstract Seawater desalination by reverse osmosis (RO) invokes the necessity of brine disposal. On the other hand, the chlor-alkali industry requires saturated brine with a low content of calcium and magnesium contaminations. This paper describes a preliminary study exploring the possibility of the application of RO, nanofiltration–reverse osmosis, and nanofiltration–reverse osmosis–multieffect distillation seawater desalination brines as a sodium chloride source for membrane electrolysis. A concept has been proposed in which electrodialysis with univalent permselective membranes is used to enrich chlor-alkali lean brine with sodium chloride, and simultaneously desalinate discharge brine. The experiments with an electrodialyzer equipped with Neosepta® ACS and CMS membranes of 42 cm effective length have shown that the desired concentration of membrane electrolysis feed (above 300 g/L as NaCl) can be achieved. At the same time, the concentrations of both calcium and magnesium are decreased, the latter to a...

Scaling prediction in electrodialytic desalination

Abstract The application of thin intermembrane spacers with densely distributed membrane abutments allows the single-pass electrodialysis with different linear velocities in the diluate and concentrate compartments, which results in the increase in recovery ratio. When applied to the desalination of sparingly soluble salts solutions, such method allows achieving high supersaturation in the concentrate stream, which increases the risk of the membrane scaling. To avoid the scaling, the limiting condition, binding apparatus hydrodynamic conditions and scaling kinetics, can be assumed during module design. In the previous research, the condition was that the crystallization induction time has to be larger than the sum of the electrodialyzer’s mean residence time and its standard deviation. Experiments with electrodialysis reversal (EDR) showed however, that even with this assumption unfulfilled, there is no significant decrease in the performance between the polarity cycles. Thus, a new limiting condition was...

Hybrid pectin-based biosorbents for zinc ions removal

In this paper, a set of the hybrid biosorbents, made of pectin and polysaccharide additives (arabic, tragacanth, guar, karaya, xanthan, gellan, carob gums, agar-agar) or lecithin (phospholipid), was investigated and tested for zinc ions removal. The immobilization of the polysaccharides into the pectin matrix was proved by the IR spectroscopy. The structure of the working biosorbents was observed in SEM micrographs. The influence of the additive type and pH on the sorption properties and swelling index was investigated. The maximum sorption capacities were achieved in pH above 4 and ranged from 17.7 to 25.4mg/g for lecithin and xanthan gum as additives, respectively. The results show that the hybrid pectin-based beads are promising biosorbents for zinc removal from aqueous solutions.

Sorption studies of cadmium and lead ions on hybrid polysaccharide biosorbents

ABSTRACT The sorption of lead and cadmium ions on hybrid pectin-based biosorbents containing gellan, carob, and xanthan gum has been studied. The rate constant of the metal ions’ sorption on hybrid P + X beads (analyzed with the two kinetic models: pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second–order models) is at least two times higher than obtained on other pectin-based sorbents. The Langmuir equation fits experimental data better than Freundlich model. A greater equilibrium constant B for lead(II) than cadmium(II) indicates a stronger bond between Pb(II) and pectin-based beads. Prepared hybrid materials are promising biosorbents for heavy metals’ removal from waste waters.

Zinc Sorption Studies on Pectin-Based Biosorbents

The previously-obtained and characterized hybrid pectin-based beads containing agar-agar and guar gum, as well as sole pectin beads (P, for comparison) were examined for zinc ions sorption and desorption properties. The sorption kinetics and equilibrium in the studied system was described by two kinetic models (pseudo-first- and pseudo-second-order) and two isotherms (Langmuir and Freundlich), respectively. The desorption kinetics and equilibrium was also investigated by applying various inorganic acids (nitric, hydrochloric, and sulfuric acid) of various concentrations. In the case of guar gum additive, no significant change in sorption capacity compared to sole pectin beads was observed (q: 37.0 ± 2.6 and 34.7 ± 2.0 mg/g, respectively). Addition of agar-agar significantly decreased the sorption capacity to 22.3 ± 1.0 mg/g, but stripping of zinc(II) ions from this biosorbent was complete even with very diluted acids (0.01 M). Total desorption of zinc from sole pectin and pectin-guar gum beads required acid solution of higher concentration (0.1 M). Sorption rates for all biosorbents are roughly the same and maximum sorption is achieved after 4–5 h. Obtained results and the advantage of our sorbent’s shape formation ability, make the pectin-based biosorbents interesting alternative for zinc(II) ions removal.

Zinc Sorption on Modified Waste Poly(methyl methacrylate)

The new one-pot hydrolysis-crosslinking reaction was used to synthesize a new, waste poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA)-based material for zinc(II) ions removal. The alkaline hydrolysis of PMMA in diethylene glycol diethyl ether was used to obtain polymer matrix and it was then crosslinked with Ca and Mg ions to obtain the sorbent. As a result, the macroporous materials were obtained with a yield of 87% when waste PMMA was used, and about 95% when the commercial PMMAs were used. The degree of hydrolysis was similar, from 32% to 35%. New materials were then tested for their affinity towards zinc(II) ions. Two kinetic models (pseudo-first and pseudo-second order), as well as two isotherms (Langmuir and Freundlich), were used to describe the kinetics and equilibrium of zinc(II) ion sorption on the studied materials, respectively. All the prepared PMMA-based sorbents showed similar or higher sorption capacity (q up to 87.7 mg/g) compared to commercially available materials in a broad pH range (4–7). The study shows sorption was fast—above 80% of equilibrium capacity was achieved after ca. 0.5 h. Presented results show that waste PMMA may be an interesting raw material for the preparation of sorbents for zinc(II) ions removal.

The Content of Structural and Trace Elements in the Knee Joint Tissues

Many elements are responsible for the balance in bone tissue, including those which constitute a substantial proportion of bone mass, i.e., calcium, phosphorus and magnesium, as well as minor elements such as strontium. In addition, toxic elements acquired via occupational and environmental exposure, e.g., Pb, are included in the basic bone tissue composition. The study objective was to determine the content of strontium, lead, calcium, phosphorus, sodium and magnesium in chosen components of the knee joint, i.e., tibia, femur and meniscus. The levels of Sr, Pb, Ca, P, Na and Mg were the highest in the tibia in both men and women, whereas the lowest in the meniscus. It should be noted that the levels of these elements were by far higher in the tibia and femur as compared to the meniscus. In the components of the knee joint, the level of strontium showed the greatest variation. Significant statistical differences were found between men and women only in the content of lead.

Innovations in electromembrane processes

Electromembrane processes are increasingly important group of separation methods, widely used for removal of charged components from solutions. It is a growing field of research with a plethora of both existing and still developed applications. The separation is based on ion migration across the charged membranes (a polymeric matrix with fixed charged groups, counterbalanced with mobile counter-ions), placed in the electric field. This paper presents the main electromembrane processes: electrodialysis (ED), electrodialysis reversal (EDR), electrodialysis with bipolar membrane (EDBM), electrodeionization (EDI), membrane capacitive deionization (MCDI), reverse electrodialysis (RED). We present the common applications of electromembrane processes and discuss the physical basis of the electromembrane processes. The most important parameters of the ion-exchange membranes are discussed, as well as the novel approaches towards mitigation of scaling, enhancement of mass transfer, decreasing the concentration polarization, and new hybrid electromembrane processes. Critical analysis of the possibility of energy production by reverse electrodialysis is presented.

Sorption studies of heavy metal ions on pectin-nano-titanium dioxide composite adsorbent

ABSTRACT The Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II) sorption kinetics and equilibrium on hybrid material, composed of pectin and titanium dioxide nanopowder, were examined. Parameters, such as pH and adsorbent dose, were also investigated. The experimental data were better described by the Langmuir model. The maximum adsorption capacities were 1.37, 0.68, 0.51, and 0.83 mmol/g for Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The introduction of nano-TiO2 improved the kinetics of the metal ion sorption. The titanium dioxide, despite its small content (6%), contributes to the removal of the examined metal ions and eventually to the adsorption capacity of hybrid beads.