Metallurgical Slag as an Efficient and Economical Adsorbent of Arsenic

Abstract

It was shown in laboratory with well-mixed batch reactors that slags can be used as an efficient and economical adsorbent of arsenic because this industrial by-product produced an effluent with an arsenic concentration slightly lower than the value of the Mexican drinking water quality standards. Also, the water treatment cost with slag was lower than the value calculated for nZVI. Based on these results, it can be said that the adsorption process with slag showed higher feasibility with respect to nZVI for the removal of arsenic in water. We recommend performing pilot tests in columns in order to estimate treatment costs in a continuous-flow system. We also recommend carrying out adsorption tests of As3þ and As5þ using slag.