Use of Filtralite to remove nickel in urban runoff water: A numerical modelling for sustainable water management in cities

This study focuses on the management of urban drainage systems designed to reduce stormwater pollution. It emphasizes the removal of nickel (Ni), found in urban runoff water, due to its toxicity and potential accumulation in living organisms. Laboratory column tests are proposed using Filtralite as the filtration material. The HP1 module is utilized to calibrate a model that analyzes the transport and elimination of this heavy metal. It was observed that the interaction between the material and the contaminated solution increases the pH, leading to the precipitation of nickel hydroxide in the initial nodes of the column. The results indicate that the concentration of the contaminant in the solution is directly dependent on the pH. Under acidic conditions, Ni remains in solution, but beginning at a pH of 7.5, its elimination starts, and it completely precipitates for pH values above 11.