Adsorption Effect of Heavy Metals (Zn, Ni, Cd, Cu) in Aqueous Solution Using Bottom Ash of Biomass Power Plant

BACKGROUND: The number of biomass power plants is increasing around the world and the amount of wastes from power plants is expected to increase. But the bottom ash (BA) is not recycled and has been dumped in landfill. This study was conducted to find out functional groups of BA and adsorption rate of heavy metals on BA. METHODS AND RESULTS: The BA was dried in oven at 105℃ for 24 hours, and characterized by analyzing the chemistry, functional group, and surface area. The adsorption rates of heavy metals on BA were evaluated by different concentration, time, and pH. As a result, the adsorption amount of the heavy metals was high in the order of Zn> Cu> Cd> Ni and the removal rates of Zn, Cu, Cd, and Ni by BA was 49.75, 30.20, 32.46, and 36.10%, respectively. Also, the maximum adsorption capacity of BA was different by the heavy metal in the environmental conditions, and it was suggested that the isotherms for Zn, Ni, Cd, and Cu were adequate to Langmuir model. CONCLUSION(S): It is suggested that it would be effec-tive to remove heavy metals in aqueous solution by using BA from biomass power plants in South Korea.