Adsorption of mercury(II) by coal fly ash

Coal fly ash, an industrial solid waste, was found to have a good adsorption capacity for mercury(II). Adsorption of mercury(II) on coal fly ash conforms to Freundlich's adsorption model. Several parameters such as time of equilibration, effect of pH, effect of initial concentration of solute, effect of fly ash dose etc. were studied. The maximum adsorption was observed after shaking for 3 h. Solution pH was the most important parameter affecting the adsorption. The optimum pH range was 3.5–4.5. There was total adsorption of mercury below 10 mg l −1. The performance of coal fly ash as an adsorbent was found to be significant when compared with activated powdered charcoal.