Lead (Pb) is one of the most dangerous contaminants found in industrial and groundwater, due to its high toxicity even at low concentrations. Its removal is essential to ensure environmental safety and the quality of water intended for industrial or drinking purposes.

To remove lead and other heavy metals such as arsenic, mercury, nickel, cadmium and chromium, special zeolites and advanced adsorbent materials are used, which are capable of selectively trapping these pollutants, ensuring that the water complies with legal standards.

Removal Technologies

1. Filtration using selective zeolites

Modified zeolites have a microporous structure that enables them to selectively capture metal ions via ion exchange.

• Removal mechanism: lead ions and other heavy metal ions are replaced by sodium (Na⁺) or calcium (Ca²⁺) ions, and are trapped in the filter bed.
• Advantages:
  ✔ High retention capacity, even in water with high contaminant loads.
  ✔ Effective process requiring no chemical additives.
  ✔ The filter media can be regenerated, reducing operating costs.
  ✔ Material certified for the treatment of drinking water, ensuring safety for human consumption.

2. Specific adsorbents for heavy metals

In addition to zeolites, there are advanced adsorbent materials based on metal oxides and impregnated activated carbons, which are capable of capturing lead and other metals through chemisorption and selective precipitation.

• Removal mechanism: adsorbents bind metal ions to form insoluble compounds, which are then removed by filtration.
• Advantages:
  ✔ Simultaneous removal of multiple heavy metals (Pb, As, Hg, Ni, Cd, Cr, etc.).
  ✔ High efficiency even at low concentrations.
  ✔ Compatibility with other water treatment processes.
  ✔ Certified for drinking water, ensuring safe use in water supply systems.

Applications and Benefits

✔ Treatment of groundwater contaminated with heavy metals.
✔ Purification of industrial effluent from foundries, electroplating plants and chemical industries.
✔ Protection of reverse osmosis systems and ion exchange units against metal fouling.
✔ Ability to ensure that treated water meets the discharge parameters set out in current legislation, thereby reducing disposal costs and environmental impact.

Through the combined use of zeolites and certified adsorbents, it is possible to produce treated water suitable for industrial reuse, discharge in accordance with regulations, and use as drinking water, ensuring a safe, effective and environmentally sustainable treatment process.