ABSTRACT
ABSTRACT: This work focuses on the development of bio-filters for the removal and recovery of arsenic (As) from aqueous solutions, based on the natural properties of sorghum biomass to adsorb metals. The As adsorption capacity at pH 4.5 and 60 min of contact time was 8.43 mg/g and 6.99 mg/g for free and immobilized biomass, respectively. After HCl treatment, As was recovered in 91% and 95% from free and immobilized As saturated biomass, respectively. In flow conditions, the adsorption’s capacity of the immobilized biomass packed in a column was 143 mg/cm3 when the input rate of the arsenic solution was 3 mL/min. The designed column size to remove As from a well with high As content, taking in consideration several factors, was 16 cm diameter and 80 cm height. Using two columns in series and one of reserve, a previous cost analysis showed that the water cost after this treatment was 0.002 and 0.011 US$/L for free and immobilized biomass, respectively.
