adsorption; coal; heavy metals; waste water

The paper summarizes extensive study of heavy metal sorption on bituminous, brown and oxidative altered coals. The results show that natural coals as sorbents of heavy metals can be more efficient then activated carbons due to higher adsorption capacity and independence of the sorption on the size of coal particles (studied range 0.06 ? 1 mm). In addition, low dependence on initial pH of solution was found for heavy metals sorption on oxidative altered coal.

The paper summarizes extensive study of heavy metal sorption on bituminous, brown and oxidative altered coals. The results show that natural coals as sorbents of heavy metals can be more efficient then activated carbons due to higher adsorption capacity and independence of the sorption on the size of coal particles (studied range 0.06 ? 1 mm). In addition, low dependence on initial pH of solution was found for heavy metals sorption on oxidative altered coal.