Work

Desferrioxamine B (DFOB) assisted nanofiltration system for the recycling of gallium from low concentrated wastewater

Year: 2024

Type: article

Abstract: • Gallium recycling Breakthrough: new membrane-based approach using Desferrioxamine B. • High Recovery: nanofiltration membrane recover about 70 % of gallium from wastewater. • Industrial Application: method effective with both synthetic and real wastewater. • Predictive Model: developed model suggests over 90 % gallium recovery is possible. • Sustainability Impact: low energy needs, high recovery hence high economic potential. Gallium is classified as a technology metal as it is important for technological innovations. It is also referred to as a strategic metal, which emphasizes its economic relevance. In addition, gallium is a critical raw material that is strategically important but only available in limited quantities. However, recycling dissolved gallium from low-concentration wastewater is often not done due to the lack of suitable technologies. This research presents a membrane-based approach using the siderophore Desferrioxamine B for the recycling of gallium. Nanofiltration membranes were used to separate gallium from other metal impurities (such as arsenic). The membranes recovered about 70 % of gallium from low-concentrated synthetic wastewater. Afterward, the membranes were tested using industrial wastewater, and a similar recovery rate was observed. A model was developed to predict operation parameters that would lead to the highest recovery rate of gallium with the minimum impurities. The model showed that recycling more than 90 % of gallium from wastewater is possible using this approach. Therefore, the siderophore-assisted nanofiltration approach demonstrated in this research showed great potential for the sustainable recycling of gallium from industrial wastewater.

Source: Water Research

DOI: 10.1016/j.watres.2024.122892

Authors: Aratrika Ghosh, Sarah Glass, Elsayed Gadelrib, Volkan Filiz, Rohan Jain

Institutions: Helmholtz-Zentrum Dresden-Rossendorf, Helmholtz-Zentrum Hereon, Helmholtz Institute Freiberg for Resource Technology, Indian Institute of Technology Delhi

Language: English

Topic: Extraction and Separation Processes

Subfield: Mechanical Engineering

Field: Engineering

Domain: Physical Sciences

SDGs: Responsible consumption and production, Clean water and sanitation

Open Access status: hybrid

Estimated APC paid: $4,520