Preparation of circular economy-based adsorbents and their usage for wastewater treatment in batch and fixed bed columns
Thesis event information
Date and time of the thesis defence
Place of the thesis defence
Arina auditorium (TA105), University of Oulu, Linnanmaa
Topic of the dissertation
Preparation of circular economy-based adsorbents and their usage for wastewater treatment in batch and fixed bed columns
Doctoral candidate
Master of Philosophy Elavarasi Sundhararasu
Faculty and unit
University of Oulu Graduate School, Faculty of Technology, Research Unit of Sustainable Chemistry
Subject of study
Chemistry
Opponent
Professor Eveliina Repo, LUT University
Custos
Professor Ulla Lassi, Univeristy of Oulu
Removal of nutrients, heavy metals, and dye from wastewater by utilizing industrial side streams
Industrial side streams from mining and steel industry are potential raw materials to be used in water treatment. This dissertation participates to circular economy strategies by demonstrating that industrial side streams can be valorized as an effective adsorbent for wastewater treatment.
This doctoral research has investigated the increasing demand for environmentally friendly and cost-effective approaches for wastewater treatment. This research aims to use industrial side streams into alkali-activated materials (AAMs) which can be used as an adsorbent to remove contaminants effectively from wastewater. Several characterization techniques, like X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, were used to evaluate structural properties, and elemental and chemical composition. The produced AAMs were used to test the removal of ammonium ions, nickel, zinc, cobalt, and methylene blue dye. Batch and fixed-bed column studies were performed to reflect realistic treatment conditions. The results demonstrated that these industrial side-stream-based AAMs can be used for effective adsorption.
The research highlights the significance of circular economy practices by using the industrial side streams to generate effective adsorbent materials. Also, these AAMs were compared against commercially available adsorbents, such as activated carbon and zeolite. The research also shows that, based on regeneration tests, AAMs can be reused multiple times and that their removal performance remains effective throughout the cycles.
This doctoral research has investigated the increasing demand for environmentally friendly and cost-effective approaches for wastewater treatment. This research aims to use industrial side streams into alkali-activated materials (AAMs) which can be used as an adsorbent to remove contaminants effectively from wastewater. Several characterization techniques, like X-ray fluorescence and X-ray diffraction, were used to evaluate structural properties, and elemental and chemical composition. The produced AAMs were used to test the removal of ammonium ions, nickel, zinc, cobalt, and methylene blue dye. Batch and fixed-bed column studies were performed to reflect realistic treatment conditions. The results demonstrated that these industrial side-stream-based AAMs can be used for effective adsorption.
The research highlights the significance of circular economy practices by using the industrial side streams to generate effective adsorbent materials. Also, these AAMs were compared against commercially available adsorbents, such as activated carbon and zeolite. The research also shows that, based on regeneration tests, AAMs can be reused multiple times and that their removal performance remains effective throughout the cycles.
Created 13.11.2025 | Updated 14.11.2025