摘要 |
Treatment of silica-laden wastewater is herein described. Unlike traditional fixed bed designs that cannot use an activated alumina sorbent due to the high volumes of sorbent needed in a fixed bed design, the herein disclosed continuous cycle enables smaller volumes of sorbent to be used and thereby enabling activated alumina to be used. Adsorption, regeneration, and rinse regions are provided. Activated alumina is provided to the adsorption region along with silica-containing wastewater. A pH below the zero point charge for alumina is set, and this causes the silica to load onto the alumina. Gravity brings the loaded alumina to the regeneration region, having a pH equal to or greater than the zero point charge of alumina such that the silica is released from the alumina. The silica and alumina are further separated in the rinse region, and the regenerated alumina can then be returned to the adsorption region. |