Removal of gold, silver and platinum group metals from precious metals refinery wastewater by adsorption

The wastewater generated as a result of the processes applied for the purification of precious metals in the precious metal refinery contains significant amounts of precious metals (Gold, Silver) and Platinum Group Metals. In order to have high applicability, low economic cost and less damage to the environment, it has been experimentally investigated by removing waste water by adsorption method using various activated carbons. Experiments were made on pH and quantity variables using coal-based and coconut-based activated carbons and max. conditions have been determined. In conclusion: It was observed that higher precious metal adsorption was achieved with charcoal based activated carbon at pH 3 and coconut based activated carbon at pH 1 value. In quantity studies, when coal-based activated carbon was used, Pd and Pt metal adsorption did not change after 0.6 g, and Ag and Au metal adsorption increased up to 1.0 g activated carbon. In coconut based activated carbon, adsorption of precious metals increased significantly with the increase of activated carbon amount from 0.5 g to 0.6 g, while the change in precious metal adsorption efficiency was very low between 0.5 g and 1.0 g activated carbon amount. . As a result of all the studies, when the isotherms were examined, it was determined that it was more suitable for the Langmuir isotherm. When the precious metal adsorption was compared with coal and coconut based activated carbons, it was concluded that coal based activated carbon was more efficient Keywords: Precious Metal, Platinum Group Metals, Adsorption, Activated Carbon, Wastewater, Refinery