Determinants of natural zeolite clinoptilolite adsorption capacity for removing NO2

Determinants of natural zeolite
clinoptilolite adsorption

capacity for removing NO2

Nabiollah Mansouri¹, Mohammad reza Massoudinejad²*, Hasan Asilian³, Azadeh Mafreshi¹

1. Dept. of Environmental Engineering, School of Environmental and Energy, Science and Research Branch, Islamic Azad University, Tehran, Iran
2. Dept. of Environmental Health, School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
3. Dept. of Accupational Health, School of Medicine, Tarbiat Modares University, Tehran, Iran

Received: 2 November, 2009      Accepted: 9 March, 2010

Abstract

Background: NO2 is a poisonous gas that potential to cause major threat to human being health and the environment, as a result, removing this gas from environment seems to be essential.
Methods: The study aimed to remove this gas from environment using Iranian natural zeolite, clinoptilolite. After crushing and preparing two sizes of 1 and 2 mm zeolite they were activated in 380 to 420 C for 20 minutes. NO2 was produced by reaction of copper (Cu) and nitric acid (HNO3) and diluted with enough air to achieve desired concentration. A laboratory reactor set with different concentration of NO2 (20, 30, and, 45 ppm), flows through the zeolite absorbent bed was prepared. Different parameters affected No2 absorption, such as concentration, height, and diameter of zeolite bed, zeolite granulation, and activation temperature were examined.
Results: In different condition, the adsorption range of the zeolite for NO2 was varied from 0.35% W for 2mm granulation and the 20 ppm concentration to 1.5% W using 1mm granulation and 45 ppm concentration of NO2. Activation temperature of 420 C for 20 min was the best condition removing NO2. Efficiency of 1mm granulation was higher than 2mm.
Conclusion: Reducing parameters such as height and diameter of zeolite bed decreased but increasing concentration of gas flow increased adsorption capacity of zeolite. Using Iranian zeolite in gas masks still not recommended.

Key words: nitrogen dioxide, clinoptilolite zeolite, granulation, adsorption capacity

Behbood Journal 2010; 14(3): 197-205

         * Corresponding authors contact: School of Health, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Evin, Tehran, Iran.
Tel: +98 21 22432040-41,       Email: massoudi@sbmu.ac.ir

References
1. Murathan A, Bicer A, Acilar A. Effects of various parameters on removal of NO2 gases in fix beds by adsorption on sepiolite. J Water, Air and Soil Pollution 2001; 132(3-4): 365-72.
2. US Environmental Protection Agency. AIRTrends 1995 Summary, Nitrogen Dioxide (NO2). Available at: www.epa.gov\eogapti1\module6\nitrogen\nitrogen.htm.
3. Peavy SH, Environmental engineering. Mc Grow-Hill Education 1987: 135-9.
4. Manahan E. Environmental Chemistry. 6^th ed. Boca Raton.Lewis1994: 342-5.
5. Granahan G, Murray F. Air pollution and health in rapidly developing countries. London: Sterling 2003; 58-9 .
6. Kaivani N. [Environmental Rules and Laws of IR of Iran (Persian)]. 2^nd ed. Tehran: Iran Department of Environment Press 2004; 4-12.
7. Occupational and Environmental Health Center of Iranian Minestry of Health, Treatment and Medical Education. [Allowable Occupational Exposure Lemits (Persian)]. 2^nd ed, Tehran: MHTME Press 2001; 122-4.
8. American Conference of Governmental Hygienists. Threshold Limit Values. Cincinnati: ACGIH press 2007; 45-47.
9. Asilian H, Mortazavi SB, Kazemian H, Phaghiehzadeh S, Shahtaheri Sj, Salem M. Removal of ammonia from air, using three Iranian natural zeolites. Iranian J Publ Health 2004; 33(1): 45-51.
10. Korkuna O, Leboda R, Skubiszewska J, Zie B, Vrublevs T, Gunko VM, et al. Strutural and physicochemical properties of natural zeolites. Journal of Microporous and Mesoporous Materials 2006; 87(3): 243-54.
11. Kazemian H. [Introduction to Zeolites, Misterious Minerals (Persian)]. Tehran: Zali Press 2006; 124-8.
12. Barrer RM. Zeolite and clay minerals as sorbents and molecular sieves. London: Academic Press 1979; 103-223.
13. Booker NA, Cooney LE, and Priestley AJ. Amonia removal from sewage using natural australianzeolite. Journal of Water Science Technology 1996; 34(9): 17-24.
14. Mazeikiene A, Rimeika M, Marina V, Oskinis V, Neringa P, Evelina B. Removal of petroleum products from water using natural sorbent zeolite. Journal of Environmental Engineering and Landscape Management 2005; 8(4): 187-91.