| abstract |
The present invention relates to removal of selenium from feeds such as waste water streams from refineries and power plants. In one aspect the use of an adsorbent for the adsorption of one or more selenium species from a fluid is claimed, wherein the adsorbent comprises a support having functional groups capable of adsorbing selenium species immobilised thereon. The functional groups can comprise (i) an amine moiety, such as a quaternary amine moiety, (ii) a heteroaryl moiety comprising a nitrogen atom in the aromatic ring, such as a pyridine moiety and/or (iii) a thiol moiety. The one or more selenium species comprises a selenide. Preferably, the support is a fibre. Alternatively, the support may be a granule or powder. The fluid may have a pH in the range from 6 to 14. A method of purifying water and a selenium removal apparatus are also claimed. |