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Abstract
In this work, the removal of cyanide from aqueous solutions was accomplished by using the synergetic effect of activated carbon and an oxidizing agent. A basic-character coconut shell activated carbon (CAC) was used; experiments were conducted in a semi-batch reactor, at 25 °C, initial pH of 11.5, and using cyanide solutions with initial concentration up to 1200 mg/mL. In particular, the beneficial effect of an oxidizing agent such as air, oxygen or ozone on the removal of cyanide by CAC was evaluated. At the optimum operating conditions found in this study, 1200 mg/mL of cyanide were totally decomposed in about 3 h, by using 1 g of CAC and about 2 mgO3/min. The experimental results were rationalized based on different mechanisms reported in the literature. The findings provide the basis to optimize the removal of cyanide from aqueous solutions in mining or metallurgical effluents by using the synergetic effect of CAC and ozone.