EVALUATION OF PHILLIPSITE AS CATION-EXCHANGER IN LEAD REMOVAL FROM WATER

The ability of phillipsite to remove lead from water was evaluated by determining lead exchange isotherms with sodium- or potassium-exchange d phillipsite and by studying the kinetics of sodium exchange for lead and, lastly, by testing lead uptake in a column, in which fixed beds of sodium-enriched phillipsite tuff grains were percolated by lead-con taining solutions. The collected data evidenced a remarkable selectivi ty of sodium phillipsite for lead in equilibrium experiments, fast kin etics, and massive lead removal from water in column runs, even in the presence of substantial amounts of sodium as interfering cation. The favourable lead elution during regeneration of exhausted phillipsite t ogether with the above mentioned results in the exchange experiments a llow to forecast a profitable utilization of phillipsite in lead remov al from waste water.