Patent Description:
Nitrates pollution is currently an increasing problem that affects both the quality of both surface and underground waters. The use of chemical fertilizers has increased considerably over the last decades, causing noxious environmental processes, including contamination of the aqueous resources. This water contamination can have effects on human health by their ingestion, either dissolved in water or in foods. Consumption of water with high concentrations in nitrates poses a health hazard, since nitrates can form nitrosamines and nitrosamides, potentially carcinogenic compounds.

Silica particles are widely used in many fields as fillers, catalyst carriers, biological and medicinal materials. In order to improve the application performance, their surfaces generally need to be modified by functional chemical groups. The surface of the silica particles can be modified by different processes and one of the most attractive is the organofunctionalization, where the modifying and coupling agent is an organic group. A possible coupling agent can be <NUM>-aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) since it allows for attachment of molecules through its terminal amines and also exhibits self-assembly. On the other hand, the Stöber method is a widely used method for the synthesis of nanoparticles such as silica, where tetraethyl orthosilicate (TEOS) and other silicates are combined in a mixture of water, ethanol and ammonia and stirred to form particles whose size depends on the concentration of the solvents and the silicate additives.

<CIT> discloses a method for water purification using as filters, rice straw ash functionalized with an aqueous solution of <NUM>-Aminopropyltriethoxysilane (APTES) to obtain RHA (rice straw ash), and then is heated to obtain pre-treated RHA to which a disinfectant is added.

The documents "<NPL>, and "<NPL>; refer to rice husk. In the first one, it is thermally pretreated with HCl at <NUM> and chemically modified with APTES for use as an adsorbent suitable for humic acids of water. While in the second describes the use of rice husks to filter water without any rice husk functionalization treatment.

The use of silane-treated silica filter media, such as rice husk ash, is described in patent application <CIT>. In one of the examples, it relates to rice straw ash functionalized with, among others, <NUM>-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane for use in filters used for protein filtration. Further examples are disclosed in<NPL>.

In the present invention, the modification of rice silica is described. The silica particles can be optionally treated with TEOS, while APTES is then added which modifies the surface of the silica and the active. The silica obtained allows the adsorption of the nitrates present (<FIG>) between <NUM> and <NUM>%.

In this document, the acronym "TEOS" refers to tetraethyl orthosilicate.

The acronym "APTES" refers to the compound <NUM>-aminopropyltriethoxysilane.

The acronym "APTMS" refers to the compound <NUM>-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.

In this specification, the term "rice silica" is used with an equivalent meaning to "rice straw silica" and "rice straw ash silica", and are used interchangeably.

"Rice straw ash" refers to the residue that results from burning rice straw.

"Ammonia" as used in the present invention refers to ammonia as an aqueous solution, from a solution of the ammonium chloride salt in water.

In this invention "Room temperature" refers to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>, more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

"Average speed" refers herein to a speed between <NUM> and <NUM> rpm, and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> rpm, more preferably <NUM> rpm.

In this document the expression "water nitrates" has a general meaning, encompassing aqueous solutions, and is therefore used equivalently to the expression "water nitrates or aqueous solutions nitrates". Both expressions are also equivalent to "nitrates in water" or "nitrates in water or in aqueous solutions".

In this document the term "room temperature" refers to a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>.

The present invention relates to a method for the adsorption of nitrates in water by means of active modified silica from rice straw ash according to claim <NUM>.

It is important to highlight that the synthetic stages take place at room temperature (considered as a wide range between <NUM> and <NUM>, preferably <NUM> to <NUM>) since there is no need for extra energy consumption or instrumentation etc. to heat or cool the solutions.

In step b) the rice straw silica is added to a mixture of alcohol and water under continuous stirring.

In step b) the ratio rice straw ash silica to alcohol and water mixture is between <NUM> and <NUM> of liquid per gram of silica, more preferably <NUM> of liquid per gram of silica (<NUM>/<NUM>).

In a particular embodiment, the alcohol/water volume ratio in step b) is between <NUM>/<NUM> to <NUM>/<NUM>, more preferably <NUM>/<NUM>.

The alcohol in step b) can be selected from ethanol and methanol. In a preferred embodiment, the alcohol is ethanol.

In step c) the catalyst is added at room temperature as defined above, and preferably between <NUM> and <NUM>, both temperatures included.

The catalyst that is added in step c) is selected from ammonia, ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, magnesium oxide, calcium hydroxide, triethanolamine and dicyclohexylamine. More preferably, this compound is ammonia.

In step c) the proportion of catalyst compound may be between <NUM>-<NUM>% (v/v) [percentage of the volume of the compound with respect to the total volume], preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% (v/v) and more preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% (v/v).

Optionally, an alkoxysilane compound can be added in step c), which can be tetraethyl orthosilicate, trimethoxysilane or methyltriethoxysilane. Preferably, the alkoxysilane compound is tetraethyl orthosilicate. The alkoxysilane compound can be present in a proportion between <NUM>,<NUM>-<NUM>%, preferably <NUM>-<NUM>% and more preferably between <NUM>-<NUM>% (v/v), [percentage of the compound volume with respect to the total volume].

In a particular embodiment, in step c) the mixture is kept under stirring for a time between <NUM> and <NUM> hours, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> hours and more preferably <NUM> hours.

In a further particular embodiment, the stirring of step c) is carried out magnetically at a speed of <NUM> rpm for a time between <NUM> and <NUM> hours, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> hours and more preferably <NUM> hours.

In another particular embodiment, the aminoalkoxysilane of step d) is selected from <NUM>-aminopropyltriethoxysilane and <NUM>-aminopropyltrimethoxysilane.

The ratio of aminoalkoxysilane compound can be <NUM> per gram of silica (<NUM>/<NUM>) and more preferably <NUM> per gram of silica (<NUM>/<NUM>).

In step d) the mixture from step c) can be kept stirred at an average speed of <NUM>-<NUM> rpm, preferably <NUM> rpm.

The stirring time in this stage is between <NUM> and <NUM> hours, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> hours, and more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> hours.

In a particular embodiment, the stirring of step d) is carried out magnetically at a speed of <NUM> rpm for a time between <NUM> and <NUM> hours, preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> hours, and more preferably between <NUM> and <NUM> hours.

In another particular embodiment, the method further comprises a step of decantation and air drying between steps d) and e), of the modified silica obtained.

The volume of acid treatment in step e) can be between <NUM>-<NUM> times the mass of modified silica used, more preferably between <NUM>-<NUM> times the mass of modified silica used.

In a particular embodiment, the acid in step e) is selected from hydrochloric acid and acetic acid. Preferably the acid is hydrochloric acid. Hydrochloric acid can be in a concentration between <NUM> and <NUM>, in a proportion of <NUM> of acid per gram of modified silica.

In the continuous treatment carried out in step e), the material obtained is treated for a time of <NUM> to <NUM> hours, preferably <NUM> to <NUM> hours, without heating.

In a particular embodiment, in step f), the water or aqueous solution from which the nitrates are to be removed is passed through a column containing the active modified silica obtained in step e), such that the flow of the water or aqueous solution passing through the solid is <NUM> to <NUM>/min, more preferably <NUM> to <NUM>/min. <NUM> aliquots of can be collected every <NUM> seconds and measured by ultraviolet visible spectrophotometry at <NUM>.

According to particular embodiments, the method comprises:.

As the first step of the method of the invention, the rice straw is burned by a known process. The burning process occurs by raising the temperature up to <NUM>. The burn time can last up to <NUM> hours.

To carry out the process of the invention, the burned rice straw is obtained under conditions that can be, for example: burning the straw by means of a temperature ramp up to approximately <NUM> in a time of <NUM> hours and with a total heat treatment of up to <NUM> hours. A particular example with the rise in temperature and times is shown in <FIG>: The temperature is raised at a rate of <NUM>/minute, maintaining a temperature of <NUM> for one hour, again raised to <NUM> at a rate of <NUM>/minute and maintained at <NUM> for one hour, and continued to be raised at <NUM>/minute up to <NUM>, maintaining <NUM> hours at this temperature, to then decrease to <NUM>/minute lowering speed.

In order to assist in a better understanding of the features of the invention, a set of drawings is attached as an integral part of said description in which the following has been illustrated for illustrative purposes:.

The invention will be illustrated below by means of tests that demonstrate the effectiveness of the product of the invention.

The valorisation of rice straw waste is carried out according to a controlled temperature system according to the following characteristics:.

Thus, the first decomposition stage ensures the complete removal of moisture (up to T1), the second stage ensures the removal of volatiles (up to T2) and the third stage ensures the oxidation of the fixed carbon (above T3). Thus, T3 can be defined as the minimum temperature that implies a complete combustion of the rice straw and therefore a maximized amount of ash in the amorphous state.

<NUM> of rice silica, derived from rice straw ash, was added to a mixture of <NUM> of ethanol and <NUM> of distilled water, under continuous stirring. Then a solution of <NUM> ammonia (<NUM>% by volume) and between <NUM> and <NUM> of TEOS (tetraethyl orthosilicate) were added to the suspension. The reaction was allowed to continue for <NUM> hours under stirring. Then <NUM> of APTES (<NUM>-aminopropyltriethoxysilane) was added and the mixture was stirred for <NUM> hours at room temperature, until the solution turned white and the sol-gel was formed. After the reaction was completed, the products were collected by decantation and air drying, then the material was acidified by continuous recirculation, to protonate the positively charged amino groups responsible for anion adsorption. Recirculation was carried out taking into account the following ratio: <NUM> of the material obtained in <NUM> of <NUM> HCl for <NUM>-<NUM> hours without heating. The nitrate-containing silica residues will be delivered to a ceramic company for later inclusion in the manufacturing processes.

The study and characterization of the surface morphology of the ash was carried out by means of scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and through energy dispersive X-ray spectrometry (EDS) analysis, elemental mapping of the surface of the materials was made possible, as well as qualitative and quantitative reading of the chemical elements. A SEM-EDS equipment (SEM HITACHI S4800) was used for the analyses. The samples were mounted on metal supports that were subsequently coated with a layer of platinum and gold for <NUM> minutes. The analyses were carried out at room temperature with a voltage of <NUM> kV.

The study using (SEM) and (EDS) for rice straw ash is shown in sequence in <FIG> and <FIG> and Table <NUM>.

The rice straw ashes have an irregular and lamellar surface morphology, where the fibrous structure of the straw, which remained even after burning, can also be observed. It is not possible to visualise pores on the surface of the material. The EDS result for this sample showed Si, O, K and Mg as the main components, with silicon and oxygen being the major components.

To evaluate the functional groups present in the samples of ash, rice silica and commercial silica, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FT-IR) analysis was performed. A Carry <NUM> FT-IR equipment (Agilent) was used. The spectrum was obtained with a resolution of <NUM>-<NUM> in the range <NUM>-<NUM>-<NUM>.

<FIG> presents the results of the FT-IR infrared analysis for the purpose of comparing the spectra of commercial silica, rice silica and rice ash.

The three samples show very similar profiles, with the main adsorption bands at <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM>, these bands represent vibrations for the Si-OH and Si-O-Si groups respectively, which indicates the main functional groups present on the surface and composition of the material.

<FIG> presents the results of the infrared analyses for the modified and unmodified rice silica, and the characteristic bands <NUM>-<NUM> and <NUM>-<NUM> can be observed, which correspond to the vibrations of the N-H bond of the amino groups of modified silica.

Material contact tests were carried out with nitrate concentrations, and a second test with distilled water (considered as blank). Real water samples have also been processed.

<NUM> vials were used with approximately <NUM> of the adsorbent material (active modified silica), <NUM> of distilled water for blank and <NUM> of the solution containing nitrates. A stir bar was introduced into all the vials, and they were left on the magnetic stirrer, under constant stirring for <NUM> hour.

After <NUM> minutes of contact, the solution was transferred from the vial into test tubes, centrifuged for <NUM> minutes at a rotation of <NUM> rpm (to avoid suspended particles in the solution) and then absorbance measurements were made in a Carry <NUM> UV-Vis Spectrophotometer (Agilent technologies). For all tests, a measurement of distilled water is initially performed for the baseline and the <NUM> / L nitrate solution is also measured for use as a standard.

To calculate the percentage of adsorption, the absorbance values of the pollutant must be selected, which for nitrates is <NUM> and it has a higher absorbance value, for example, <NUM>, for the correction of the baseline. The contribution of the values of the blanks made with distilled water was taken into account it counts. These values are discounted from the absorbance values.

The amount of nitrates adsorbed was calculated according to the value obtained for the nitrate standard and the value obtained for the solution that remained <NUM> minutes in contact with the adsorbent.

On the other hand, a continuous test was also carried out using the set-up of <FIG> without recirculating the sample. In this case, about <NUM> of sample was passed through the active modified silica, which was retained in a column as specified below. Progressively, sample aliquots were collected every <NUM> seconds and were analysed by ultraviolet visible spectroscopy, observing that there was a greater adsorption for the first aliquots, which decreased as the silica became saturated. These data can be observed in <FIG> and <FIG>, in which two types of samples with different concentrations of nitrates are used.

Claim 1:
A method for adsorbing nitrates in water using active modified silica from rice straw ash, which comprises the following steps:
a) burning rice straw to produce rice straw ash and extracting silica from the resulting rice straw ash,
b) adding said silica extracted from rice straw ash to a mixture of alcohol and water obtaining a suspension,
c) adding a catalyst selected from ammonia, ammonium acetate, ammonium carbonate, magnesium oxide, calcium hydroxide, triethanolamine and dicyclohexylamine, to the suspension of step a) and keeping under stirring at room temperature,
d) oer adding an aminoalkoxysilane compound to the mixture of step b) and keeping under stirring, at room temperature, obtaining modified silica,
e) treatment by continuous recirculation of the modified silica obtained in step c) with an acid, obtaining active modified silica,
f) contacting the active modified silica obtained in step d) with the water from which the nitrates are to be removed.