Development of the bioionflotation process using rhamnolipid for metal recovery from industrial wastewaters


Development of the bioionflotation process using rhamnolipid for metal recovery from industrial wastewaters

Chakankar, M. V.; Oestreich, A.; Pollmann, K.; Rudolph, M.

Recovery of critical metals like Gallium (Ga) from industrial wastewaters helps in resource recycling and reducing environmental burden. Low concentration of target metals and high concentration of unwanted metals makes such a recovery challenging. Ion flotation is a promising separation and recovery process in this regards. However, low selectivity and secondary pollution by used chemicals limits its practical application. Rhamnolipid is microbial biosurfactant having both hydrophilic and hydrophobic moieties. High surface activity and metal complexing ability makes rhamnolipid a molecule of interest for their application in bioionflotation for selective recovery of metals from wastewaters. When applied as a flotation reagent, rhamnolipid plays a dual role of frother and ion collector. Our objective is to provide an insight into the role of rhamnolipid in the process and its efficiency for removal of Ga by bioionflotation. The results of these investigations provide an insight into the process fundamentals and form the basis for development of the bioionflotation process for resource recovery from wastewaters.

Keywords: Rhamnolipid; Bioionflotation; Metal; Wastewater; Gallium

  • Lecture (Conference)
    ACS Spring 2022, 20.-24.03.2022, San Diego, CA, United States of America

Permalink: https://www.hzdr.de/publications/Publ-34086
Publ.-Id: 34086