Preparation of a Modified Adsorbent Based on Clinoptilolite and Its Application for The Removal of Iron and Manganese Ions from Artesian Water

A method is developed for the modification of the external surface of clinoptilolite grains by manganese dioxide. This modified clinoptilolite is shown to be an efficient material for the post-purification of artesian drinking water with respect to iron ions and the removal of Mn2+ ions from this water: 1 kg of adsorbent is capable for cleaning up to 600 dm3 of artesian water containing 1.2 - 1.4 mg/dm3 Mn2+ ions without regeneration. Optimum conditions for the regeneration of spent adsorbent by potassium permanganate are determined.Industrial testing was performed using pilot-scale equipment. These tests comprised the preparation of the modified adsorbent, its application for post-purification of water with respect to residual iron ions (following filtration combined with aeration through a layer of natural clinoptilolite grains) and purification with respect to Mn2+ ions, and also the spent-adsorbent regeneration stage.