A method of binding a target metal in solution. The method of binding a target metal comprises contacting a solution containing i) a target metal with ii) an encapsulated exudate of a culture of algal flagellate, or a fraction thereof; or an encapsulated dried Euglena biomass or a fraction thereof, to form a complex between the target metal, and the encapsulated exudate or fraction thereof, or the encapsulated dried Euglena biomass or the fraction thereof; and optionally separating the complex from the solution. The disclosure also relates to a biosorbent element, as well as methods of using same in binding a metal in solution.

An algae-based thermoplastic foam is provided having a protein-rich algae biomass selected from either microalgae, macroalgae or combinations thereof. The protein content is greater than or equal to 15% by weight of the algae biomass and the algae biomass is dried to a moister content of less than or equal to 15% by weight having an average particle size of up to 200 microns. The composition includes a resin configured to exhibit rheological properties suitable for blending with algae including a melting temperature less than 250 C. and a melt flow rate in excess of 0.01 g/10 min. The foam includes a foaming ingredient selected from the group consisting of crosslinkers, compatibilizers, plasticizers, accelerants, catalysts, blowing agents, other ingredients, and combinations thereof.

A method of binding a target metal in solution. The method of binding a target metal comprises contacting a solution containing i) a target metal with ii) an encapsulated exudate of a culture of algal flagellate, or a fraction thereof; or an encapsulated dried Euglena biomass or a fraction thereof, to form a complex between the target metal, and the encapsulated exudate or fraction thereof, or the encapsulated dried Euglena biomass or the fraction thereof; and optionally separating the complex from the solution. The disclosure also relates to a biosorbent element, as well as methods of using same in binding a metal in solution.

Magnetized hydrochar for the adsorption of cadmium and a method of synthesizing magnetized hydrochar from microalgal biomass are provided. The magnetized hydrochar may be synthesized by subjecting a microalgal biomass to a hydrothermal carbonization (HTC) reaction to produce hydrochar, chemically activating the hydrochar with H.sub.2O.sub.2, and magnetizing the activated hydrochar through coprecipitation. The microalgal biomass may be selected from Chlorella vulgaris FR751187 or Scenedesmus obliquus GU732418. The resulting mHC may be used to adsorb cadmium ions from an aqueous environment, including but not limited to waste effluent.

The present invention relates to Cellulose and/or Lignin based materials used as catalyst and/or sorbent support, carrier and/or binder in combination with an inorganic binder, leading to strong but flexible structures such as porous monoliths, wire mesh or shaped particles (extrudates, beads, pellets, microspheres) which can accommodate variations in catalyst and/or sorbent loadings as well as temperature and pressure fluctuations and humidity swings, this without loss of sorption capacity and mechanical integrity to prevent attrition, fines, losses etc. These sorbent/catalyst can be produced from waste biomass and can be recycled and reused, dissolved and re-precipitated making use of solvents like ZnCI2.

The agent for selective metal recovery of the present invention includes a material derived from an alga belonging to the order Cyanidiales, which is dead cells or a cell surface layer of an alga belonging to the order Cyanidiales, or an artificial material produced by simulating the cell surface layer, or includes a porphyrin. The metal recovery method of the present invention includes an addition step of adding a material derived from an alga belonging to the order Cyanidiales, which is dead cells or a cell surface layer of an alga belonging to the order Cyanidiales, or an artificial material produced by simulating the cell surface layer, or adding a porphyrin, to a metal solution; and a recovery step of recovering a metal from the metal solution by the material derived from an alga belonging to the order Cyanidiales or the porphyrin.

The present invention provides a method (100) for removal of metals from aqueous solutions comprising the steps of treating (102) the aqueous solutions with an adsorbent, allowing (104) the aqueous solutions and the adsorbent to be in contact for a predetermined time to obtain treated aqueous solutions, collecting (106) the treated aqueous solutions, filtering (108) the treated aqueous solutions and discharging (110) the filtered aqueous solutions. The adsorbent comprising plurality of natural biomaterials. Further, the plurality of natural biomaterials are capable of adsorbing the metals from the aqueous solutions.

The invention belongs to the field of chemical separation, hydrometallurgy and resource recovery and provides a method for preparing and applying of ion-keeper adsorbent. By adjusting the pH to selective oxidation to achieve the oxidation of ferrous iron into ferric iron. Separates the iron after the hydrothermal reaction; By using of ion imprint ion keeper effect and biomass as raw materials, to prepare the adsorbent with internal rules, hierarchical pores and high selectivity. It can be used for deep purification of chromium solution, such as iron, aluminum, vanadium and other impurities in the solution; After the deep purification of chromium solution, then adjusting the pH, adding appropriate hydrating agent, by hydrothermal precipitation treatment of chrome, filtration, acid washing and calcination to obtain chromium oxide crystal. It achieves the purification of chromium, iron, aluminum and chromium. The recycling and comprehensive utilization of waste resources are also realized. The process is simple, the iron, aluminum, vanadium and other impurities are in the selective adsorption. Chromium solution after deep purification can be processed for high purity chromium products to provide technical support.

A process for preparing magnetic activated carbons including the steps of a) treating an aqueous solution having a biomass hydrothermally at autogenic pressure at a temperature 180 and 250 C., under acidic conditions in the presence of iron ions, to obtain a precursor product, b) activating the precursor product obtained in step a) by mixing an activating agent at elevated temperatures between 550 and 850 C., for a period up to 9h. The disclosure also relates to magnetic activated carbon prepared according to the process and use of the carbon for separation and storage of gases and purification of liquids. A method for separation of particles from a liquid and/or a gas, and method for regenerating magnetic activated carbon by heating using an oscillating electromagnetic field are also disclosed.

The present invention provides a method (100) for removal of metals from aqueous solutions comprising the steps of treating (102) the aqueous solutions with an adsorbent, allowing (104) the aqueous solutions and the adsorbent to be in contact for a predetermined time to obtain treated aqueous solutions, collecting (106) the treated aqueous solutions, filtering (108) the treated aqueous solutions and discharging (110) the filtered aqueous solutions. The adsorbent comprising plurality of natural biomaterials. Further, the plurality of natural biomaterials are capable of adsorbing the metals from the aqueous solutions.