Síntesis de zeolita P utilizando jales de cobre

Synthesis of zeolite P using copper mining tailings

F. Espejel-Ayala^1,2, M. Solís-López², R. Schouwenaars³ y R.M. Ramírez-Zamora²*

¹ Centro de Investigación y Desarrollo Tecnológico en Electroquímica, Parque Industrial Querétaro, Sanfandila s/n, Pedro Escobedo, 76703, Querétaro, México.

³ Departamento de Materiales y Manufactura, DIMEI, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Avenida Universidad 3000, Coyoacán, 04510, México D.F.

Recibido 2 de Agosto de 2014
Aceptado 10 de Marzo de 2015

Resumen

Se desarrolló el proceso de síntesis de zeolita P utilizando como materia prima jal de cobre mediante dos etapas en el proceso de síntesis: fusión con NaOH y tratamiento hidrotermal. El jal fue tratado térmicamente a 900° C durante dos horas con NaOH en una relación 1:1.5 (g/g). Posteriormente, se llevó a cabo el tratamiento hidrotermal a 60° C con una relación sólido/líquido de 0.172 g/mL. Los tiempos de síntesis evaluados fueron de 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 48, 60, 66 y 72 h. De acuerdo al valor de su capacidad de intercambio catiónico (CIC) se determinó que el tiempo óptimo fue de 36 horas. Se obtuvo un material zeolítico constituido por 93.77% de zeolita P y 3.85% de zeolita cancrinita con una CIC de 2.016 meq/g. El valor de la CIC es adecuado para remover metales presentes en agua y suelos. La utilización de jal de cobre para sintetizar zeolita representa una opción ambientalmente amigable para prevenir la generación de drenaje acido de minería (DAM). Además, las zeolitas sintetizadas presentan un gran potencial para su uso en el tratamiento de aguas residuales contaminadas con metales pesados y amonio.

Palabras clave: zeolitas, intercambio ioínico, jal de cobre, valorizacioín de residuos, tratamiento hidrotermal.

Synthesis of zeolite P using copper mine tailing as raw material was achieved by means of iwo steps in the process: fusion with NaOH and hydrothermal treatment. The copper mine tailing was calcined at 900° C during 2 hours in a 1:1.5 (w/w) ratio. Then, hydrothermal treatment was applied at 60° Cin a 0.172 g/mL ratio. Several times of synthesis were evaluated, 2, 4, 8, 16, 24, 36, 48, 60, 66 and 72 hours. According to the Cationic Exchange Capacity (CEC), 36 hours of time was selected as optimal time. A zeolitic material with 93.77% of zeolite P and 3.85% of cancrinite was obtained with a CEC=2.016 meq/g. The CEC obtained is an excellent value to remove heavy metals presents in water and soils. The use of copper mine tailing to synthesize zeolites is a friendly environmental option to prevent the generation of Acid Mine Drainage (AMD). Moreover, the synthesized zeolites have great potential for use in the wastewater treatment to remove heavy metals and ammonium.

Key words: zeolites, exchange ionic, copper mining tailing, valorization of wastes, hydrothermal treatment.

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