Development and characterization of novel biosorbent for natural and waste water treatment

This Project deals with the development of a process for the obtaining of novel biosorbent and its application for treatment of natural and waste waters. Biosorbent is efficient and cheap material for removal of heavy metals, organic pollutants and microorganisms from water. In combination with UV/?2?2 process, removal of residual organic phase and water disinfection may be achieved. Characterization of biosorbent includes the investigation of elemental and chemical composition, determination of specific surface area, pores sizes and their distribution, morphological and elemental composition of surface, the analysis of functional groups and sorption capacity determination. The modification of biosorbent results in products with improved and specific characteristics. By chemical modification, more reactive functional groups, which increase the affinity for heavy metals, have been introduced to the already existing groups. Thermal modification results in carbonization and formation of hydrophobic structures capable for sorption of less polar substances and microorganisms. Based on the results obtained by characterization and analysis of biosorbent, and results of its application in laboratory conditions, the laboratory system for treatment and water disinfection would be made. The equipment would be consisted of three columns loaded with: 1. native biosorbent, 2. chemically modified biosorbent, and 3. thermally modified biosorbent, and a module for UV/H2O2 treatment.