Method for removal of heavy metals from aqueous solutions using sodium di-(n-octyl)phosphinate or sodium di-(n-dodecyl) phosphinate

Abstract

Provided herein is a method for the removal of soluble metal species consisting of lead, cadmium, zinc and mixtures thereof, present in an aqueous effluent, the method comprising the steps of: a) contacting the aqueous effluent with a organophosphorus salt selected from sodium di-(n-octyl) phosphinate and sodium di-(n-dodecyl) phosphinate or mixtures thereof; b) achieving precipitation of said soluble metal species by reaction with said organophosphorus salts to yield a precipitate; and c) recovering said precipitate by filtration. Preferably, the mole ratio of organophosphorus salt is about 1.5 to 2.5 and most preferably about 2, in relation to the total mole ratio of the said soluble metal species. Preferably, prior to step a), the pH of the aqueous effluent to be treated is adjusted to at least about 3 and most preferably at least about 4. Advantageously, the organophosphorus salt may be regenerated from the precipitate by treating the precipitate with concentrated aqueous sodium hydroxide to dissolve it and in then contacting the resulting solution with diethyl ether to extract the organophosphorus salt, followed by evaporation of the diethyl ether solvent.

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.