Removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous systems by biosorptive flotation

Biosorptive flotation was used as a combined operation for the simultaneous abstraction of nickel, copper and zinc ions from aqueous streams. Laboratory‐scale batch experiments, as well as pilot‐scale continuous experiments, have been conducted. Grape stalks, a by‐product of the winery industry, were used as sorbent material. The experimental procedure consisted of two consecutive stages: (i) biosorption, and (ii) flotation. The possibility of reusing biomass, after appropriate elution, was also examined. The main parameters examined were biomass concentration, particle size of sorbent, surfactant concentration, pH and flocculation. Flotation removals, following laboratory‐scale experiments, were found to be in the order of 100, 85 and 70% for copper, zinc and nickel, respectively. In pilot‐scale experiments, biomass sorption capacities were determined as 25 for copper, 81 for zinc and 7 µmol dm −3 for nickel. The order of biomass affinity regarding the studied metals was Cu > Zn > Ni. Short retention time and high effectiveness suggest that biosorptive flotation is a promising treatment process for the removal of toxic metals from contaminated aqueous solutions.