Ammonia Adsorption Process using Sarulla Natural Zeolite from North Sumatera, Indonesia

Sarulla natural zeolite has potential as an adsorbent for removing ammonia from wastewater. The adsorption capacity of Sarulla natural zeolite as an adsorbent is influenced by the pre-treatment process. In the present study, Sarulla natural zeolite was prepared using physical and chemical activation methods. Adsorbent Z1 is dried at 120°C. Adsorbent Z2, Z3 and Z4 are dried at 120°C and mixed with 2M HCl solution. Z2 and Z3 and then calcined at 400°C for one and two hours after washed with aquades until pH 7. And Z4 calcined at 400°C for two hours without washing process. Sarulla natural zeolite were characterised using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) to identify the material and the as-prepared adsorbents tested to adsorb the synthetic ammonia using batch adsorption process. The FTIR result confirms that Sarulla natural zeolite is similar with other natural zeolites with specific functional group frameworks such [SiO4]-4, [AlO4]-5, and [OH]-clearly appearing in the FTIR spectrum. The adsorption process successfully shows the adsorption of ammonium using Sarulla natural zeolite where the pre-treatment differentiates the adsorption performance. The kinetics analysis confirmed the experimental data fit with pseudo second order with the highest adsorption capacities (Qe) values is 400 mg/g performed by adsorbent Z1.