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POTENTIALITY OF URANIUM ADSORPTION AND ITS ASSOCIATED ELEMENTS FROM WASTE LABORATORY LIQUIDS USING BLACK TEA WASTE
June 30, 2025
pH: The Sweet Spot
- Optimal Range: pH 4.5–5.5.
Contact Time
Initial Uranium Concentration
- Max Capacity: 60.56 mg U per gram of tea waste—one of the highest reported for bio-adsorbents .
- Efficiency drops at concentrations >2000 ppm due to saturation .
Solid-Liquid Ratio
Table 1: Factors Affecting Uranium Adsorption
| Factor | Optimal Condition | Efficiency Impact |
|---|---|---|
| pH | 4.5–5.5 | 95% U removal |
| Contact Time | 60 minutes | ~95% adsorption |
| Initial U Concentration | ≤100 ppm | 4.79 mg/g uptake |
| Solid-Liquid Ratio | 1:50 | 95.7% efficiency |
Real-World Application: From Lab to Wastewater
Synthetic vs. Actual Waste
- Synthetic Solutions: Tea waste removed 60.56 mg/g U, plus 40–60% of Cd, Pb, and Th .
- Lab Waste Tests: 500 mL of real wastewater treated with 10g tea waste achieved >90% U and Th removal .
Table 2: Adsorption Performance for Key Elements
| Element | Adsorption Capacity (mg/g) | Efficiency (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Uranium (U) | 60.56 | 95.7 |
| Thorium (Th) | 18.2 | 89.3 |
| Rare Earths | 12–15* | 65–70 |
Elution and Recovery
- Elution: Acidified sodium chloride (0.5M H₂SO₄ + 1M NaCl) strips ~98% of adsorbed U and Th for reuse .
- Concentrate Production: Precipitated REE hydroxides and ammonium diuranate achieve >90% purity .
Table 3: Elution Efficiency
| Eluent | U Recovery (%) | Th Recovery (%) |
|---|---|---|
| 0.5M H₂SO₄ + 1M NaCl | 98.2 | 97.5 |
| 1M HCl | 92.4 | 88.1 |
Beyond Uranium: Tackling Multiple Contaminants
Black tea waste isn’t a one-trick pony:
- Heavy Metals: Removes 80–90% of Cu, Pb, and Cd .
- Organic Dyes: Adsorbs methylene blue (85% efficiency) via π-π interactions .
Why This Matters: Sustainability Meets Innovation
- Circular Economy: Transforms waste into a resource—1kg of tea waste can treat ~100L of contaminated water.
- Cost-Effective: ~$0.50/kg vs. $20–50/kg for activated carbon .
- Scalability: Simple preparation suits low-tech settings, ideal for developing nations.
Conclusion: A Steep Solution for a Cleaner Planet
Black tea waste exemplifies nature-inspired innovation. By harnessing its adsorption power, we can decontaminate hazardous lab liquids sustainably while reducing agricultural waste. Future research aims to enhance selectivity for REEs and integrate tea-based filters into industrial workflows. As nuclear energy grows, solutions like this will be vital for a safer, greener future.