SYSTEM FOR EXTRACTING SOLUBLE HEAVY METALS FROM LIQUID SOLUTIONS

摘要

A process for removing ions of dissolved heavy metals and complex heavy metals comprises provides a treatment zone in which is contained an extraction material having an activated surface that has an affinity for heavy metal ions and complex heavy metal ions. The activated surface is the reaction product of a polyamine with a covalently anchored trifunctional hydrocarbyl silyl that yields non-crosslinked amino groups to which functional chelator groups can be covalently attached. The activated surface of the extraction material is formed by first hydrating the extraction material surface and then silanizing the hydrated surface with a short chain trifunctional silane having a hydrocarbon substituent containing 1-6 carbon atoms and a terminal leaving group, and then reacting a polyamine with the hydrocarbylsilyl from the silanization of the hydrated surface so as to form an aminohydrocarbyl polymer covalently bound to the extraction material surface. The extraction material surface yields amino groups that are available for bonding to chelator groups. As thus formed, the polymer may be alkylated with a carboxyl or sulfur containing alkylating reagent on at least some of the amino groups to enhance and specialize the chelating ability of the extraction material's activated surface.