Removal of phenol and 4-chlorophenol by surfactant-modified natural zeolite

In this study the adsorption characteristics of phenol and 4-chlorophenol by surfactant-modified zeolite was investigated. Batch studies were performed to evaluate the effects of various experimental parameters such as contact time, adsorbent dose, initial concentration, and temperature on the removal of phenol and 4-chlorophenol. The sorption kinetics was tested for intraparticle diffusion, Elovich, and pseudo-second order reaction and rate constants of kinetic models were calculated. Equilibrium isotherms for the adsorption of phenol were analyzed by Freundlich, Langmuir, and Tempkin isotherm models. Freundlich isotherm was found to best represent the data for phenol and 4-chlorophenol adsorption.     

Characterization of the biosorption of cadmium, lead and copper with the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus

The recovery of cadmium, lead and copper with the brown alga Fucus vesiculosus was characterized and quantified. The biosorption data fitted the pseudo-second order and Langmuir isotherm models, but did not adjust to the intraparticle diffusion model. The metal uptakes deduced from the pseudo-second order kinetic model and the Langmuir isotherm model followed a similar sequence: Cu>Cd approximately Pb. The Langmuir maximum metal uptakes were: 0.9626mmol/g, Pb 1.02mmol/g, and Cu 1.66mmol/g. According to the equilibrium constants of this isotherm model, the affinity of metals for the biomass followed this order: Pb>Cu>Cd. Biosorption was accomplished by ion exchange between metals in solution and algal protons, calcium and other light metals, and by complexation of the adsorbed metals with algal carboxyl groups. FTIR spectra showed a shift in the bands of carboxyl, hydroxyl and sulfonate groups.     

Nitrate removal from aqueous solution by adsorption onto various materials

In this study sepiolite, sepiolite activated by HCl, slag and powdered activated carbon were used as adsorbent with a particle size was between 71 and 80 microm (200-170 mesh). NaNO3 solution (100 mg/l) was used in batch adsorption experiments for nitrate removal. First kinetic studies were carried out and it was determined that slag was not effective for nitrate removal, then contact time, pH and adsorbent dosage effects on nitrate removal by adsorption were investigated using other adsorbents except slag. The equilibrium time was found to be 30, 45, 5 min for sepiolite, powdered activated carbon and activated sepiolite, respectively. The most effective pH value for nitrate removal was 2 for powdered activated carbon. pH value did not affect nitrate removal significantly for other adsorbents. Adsorbent dosages were varied from 5 to 20 g/l solutions. An increase in adsorbent dosage increased the percent removal of nitrate. A series of isotherm studies were undertaken and the data evaluated for compliance with the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. To investigate the adsorption mechanisms, three simplified kinetic models, i.e., first-, second-order and intraparticle diffusion were tested. Adsorption followed second-order rate kinetics. The correlation coefficients for second order kinetic model are greater than 0.996. Experimental data show that sepiolite activated by HCl was effective for nitrate removal.     

Characterizations of strontium(II) and barium(II) adsorption from aqueous solutions using dolomite powder

In this research, adsorption technique was applied for strontium and barium removal from aqueous solution using dolomite powder. The process has been investigated as a function of pH, contact time, temperature and adsorbate concentration. The experimental data was analyzed using equilibrium isotherm, kinetic and thermodynamic models. The isotherm data was well described by Langmuir isotherm model. The maximum adsorption capacity was found to be 1.172 and 3.958 mg/g for Sr(II) and Ba(II) from the Langmuir isotherm model at 293 K, respectively. The kinetic data was tested using first and pseudo-second order models. The results indicated that adsorption fitted well with the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The thermodynamic parameters (ΔG°, ΔH°, and ΔS°) were also determined using the equilibrium constant value obtained at different temperatures. The results showed that the adsorption for both ions was feasible and exothermic.     

Treatment of wastewater containing toxic chromium using new activated carbon developed from date palm seed

The use of a new activated carbon developed from date palm seed wastes, generated in the jam industry, for removing toxic chromium from aqueous solution has been investigated. The activated carbon has been achieved from date palm seed by dehydrating methods using concentrated sulfuric acid. The batch experiments were conducted to determine the adsorption capacity of the biomass. The effect of initial metal concentration (25-125mgl(-1)), pH, contact time, and concentration of date palm seed carbon have been studied at room temperature. A strong dependence of the adsorption capacity on pH was observed, the capacity increase as pH value decrease and the optimum pH value is pH 1.0. Kinetics and adsorption equilibrium were studied at different sorbent doses. The adsorption process was fast and the equilibrium was reached within 180min. The maximum removal was 100% for 75mgl(-1) of Cr(+ concentration on 4gl(-1) carbon concentration and the maximum adsorption capacity was 120.48mgg(-1). The kinetic data were analyzed using various kinetic models - pseudo-first order equation, pseudo-second order equation, Elovich equation and intraparticle diffusion equation - and the equilibrium data were tested using several isotherm models, Langmuir, Freundlich, Koble-Corrigan, Redlich-Peterson, Tempkin, Dubinin-Radushkevich and Generalized isotherm equations. The Elovich equation and pseudo-second order equation provide the greatest accuracy for the kinetic data and Koble-Corrigan and Langmuir models the closest fit for the equilibrium data. Activation energy of sorption has also been evaluated as 0.115 and 0.229kJmol(-1).     

Removal of copper from aqueous solution using Ulva fasciata sp.--a marine green algae

Batch adsorption experiments were carried out for the removal of copper from its aqueous solution using Ulva fasciata sp. a marine green algae as adsorbent. The adsorption of Cu(II) by Ulva fasciata sp. was investigated as a function of pH, contact time, initial Cu(II) and adsorbent concentrations and adsorbent size. About 0.1 g of Ulva fasciata sp. was found to be enough to remove 95% of 20 mg/L copper from 30 mL aqueous solution in 20 min. The optimum pH value was found to be 5. The dynamic data fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic model. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms and the isotherm constants were determined. The experimental adsorption data were fitted to the Langmuir adsorption model. The maximum adsorption capacity was 26.88 mg/g. The applicability of Lagergren kinetic model was also investigated.     

Equilibrium and Kinetic Adsorption Study of the Removal of Orange-G Dye Using Carbon Mesoporous Material

Mesoporous carbon CMK-3 was synthesized by using SBA-15 silica mesoporous as hard template and characterized through nitrogen adsorption/desorption and low angle X-ray diffraction.As-prepared material with large pores and high surface area was used to remove Orange G dye from aqueous solution.Adsorption experiments were carried out as batch studies at variety of contact times,pH,initial dye concentrations,temperatures and salt concentrations.Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were employed to simulate the equilibrium data of anionic dye.It was found that the equilibrium data were well represented by the Langmuir isotherm,yielding maximum monolayer adsorption capacity of 189 mg/g.Experimental data were analyzed using pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models and obtained results indicated that kinetics followed a pseudo-second order equation.     

Adsorptive removal of methylene blue by tea waste

The potentiality of tea waste for the adsorptive removal of methylene blue, a cationic dye, from aqueous solution was studied. Batch kinetics and isotherm studies were carried out under varying experimental conditions of contact time, initial methylene blue concentration, adsorbent dosage and pH. The nature of the possible adsorbent and methylene blue interactions was examined by the FTIR technique. The pH(pzc) of the adsorbent was estimated by titration method and a value of 4.3+/-0.2 was obtained. An adsorption-desorption study was carried out resulting the mechanism of adsorption was reversible and ion-exchange. Adsorption equilibrium of tea waste reached within 5h for methylene blue concentrations of 20-50mg/L. The sorption was analyzed using pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second order kinetic models and the sorption kinetics was found to follow a pseudo-second order kinetic model. The extent of the dye removal increased with increasing initial dye concentration. The equilibrium data in aqueous solutions were well represented by the Langmuir isotherm model. The adsorption capacity of methylene blue onto tea waste was found to be as high as 85.16mg/g, which is several folds higher than the adsorption capacity of a number of recently studied in the literature potential adsorbents. Tea waste appears as a very prospective adsorbent for the removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution.     

Equilibrium and kinetic data and process design for adsorption of Congo Red onto bentonite

The adsorption of Congo Red onto bentonite in a batch adsorber has been studied. Four kinetic models, the pseudo first- and second-order equations, the Elovich equation and the intraparticle diffusion equation, were selected to follow the adsorption process. Kinetic parameters; rate constants, equilibrium adsorption capacities and correlation coefficients, for each kinetic equation were calculated and discussed. It was shown that the adsorption of Congo Red onto bentonite could be described by the pseudo second-order equation. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin equations. Adsorption of Congo Red onto bentonite followed the Langmuir isotherm. A single stage batch adsorber was designed for different adsorbent mass/treated effluent volume ratios using the Langmuir isotherm.     

Removal of methylene blue from aqueous solution by dehydrated wheat bran carbon

Dyes are usually presents in the effluent water of many industries, such as textiles, leather, paper, printing and cosmetics. The effectiveness of dye adsorption from wastewater has made to get alternative different low cost adsorbent to other expensive treatment methods. The adsorption of methylene blue onto dehydrated wheat bran (DWB) was investigated at temperatures (25-45 degrees C), initial methylene blue (MB) concentrations (100-500 mg L(-1)) and adsorbent dosage at the given contact time for the removal of dye. The optimum adsorption conditions were found to be as medium pH of 2.5 and at the temperature of 45 degrees C for the varying adsorbent dosage. Equilibrium isotherms were analysed by Freundlich, Langmuir and Redlich-Peterson isotherm equations using correlation coefficients. Adsorption data were well described by the Langmuir model, although they could be modelled by the Freundlich and Redlich-Peterson model as well. The pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order kinetic models were applied to test the experimental data. It was concluded that the pseudo-second order kinetic model provided better correlation of the experimental data rather than the pseudo-first order model. The mass transfer model as intraparticle diffusion was applied to the experimental data to examine the mechanisms of rate controlling step. It was found that at the higher initial MB concentration, intraparticle diffusion is becoming significant controlling step. The thermodynamic constants of the adsorption process were also evaluated by using the Langmuir constants related to the equilibrium of adsorption at temperatures varied in the range 25-55 degrees C.     

Kinetic and isotherm studies of Cu(II) biosorption onto valonia tannin resin

The biosorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solutions by valonia tannin resin was investigated as a function of particle size, initial pH, contact time and initial metal ion concentration. The aim of this study was to understand the mechanisms that govern copper removal and find a suitable equilibrium isotherm and kinetic model for the copper removal in a batch reactor. The experimental isotherm data were analysed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin equations. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir isotherm. The experimental data were analysed using four sorption kinetic models - the pseudo-first- and second-order equations, the Elovich and the intraparticle diffusion model equation - to determine the best fit equation for the biosorption of copper ions onto valonia tannin resin. Results show that the pseudo-second-order equation provides the best correlation for the biosorption process, whereas the Elovich equation also fits the experimental data well.     

Low cost removal of reactive dyes using wheat bran

In this study, the adsorption of Reactive Blue 19 (RB 19), Reactive Red 195 (RR 195) and Reactive Yellow 145 (RY 145) onto wheat bran, generated as a by-product material from flour factory, was studied with respect to initial pH, temperature, initial dye concentration, adsorbent concentration and adsorbent size. The adsorption of RB 19, RR 195 and RY 145 onto wheat bran increased with increasing temperature and initial dye concentration while the adsorbed RB 19, RR 195 and RY 145 amounts decreased with increasing initial pH and adsorbent concentration. The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models were applied to the experimental equilibrium data depending on temperature and the isotherm constants were determined by using linear regression analysis. The monolayer covarage capacities of wheat bran for RB 19, RR 195 and RY 145 dyes were obtained as 117.6, 119.1 and 196.1 mg/g at 60 degrees C, respectively. It was observed that the reactive dye adsorption capacity of wheat bran decreased in the order of RY 145>RB 19>RR 195. The pseudo-second order kinetic and Weber-Morris models were applied to the experimental data and it was found that both the surface adsorption as well as intraparticle diffusion contributed to the actual adsorption processes of RB 19, RR 195 and RY 145. Regression coefficients (R2) for the pseudo-second order kinetic model were higher than 0.99. Thermodynamic studies showed that the adsorption of RB 19, RR 195 and RY 145 dyes onto wheat bran was endothermic in nature.     

Biosorption of Cu(II) ions onto the litter of natural trembling poplar forest

The litter of natural trembling poplar (Populus tremula) forest (LNTPF) was used for the biosorption of Cu(II) ions in a batch adsorption experiments. The sorption capacity of LNTPF was investigated as a function of pH, particle size, agitating speed, initial Cu(II) concentration, adsorbent concentration and temperature. The efficiency of copper uptake by the used LNTPF increases with a rise of solution pH, adsorbent concentration, agitating speed, temperature, and with a decline of particle size and initial Cu(II) concentration. The biosorption process was very fast; 94% of Cu(II) removal occurred within 5 min and equilibrium was reached at around 30 min. Batch adsorption models, based on the assumption of the pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order mechanism were applied to examine the adsorption kinetics. The pseudo-second order model was found to best fit the kinetic data. EPR studies combined with FTIR spectroscopy were used to represent the biosorption mechanism. Thermodynamic parameters such as DeltaH degrees, DeltaS degrees and DeltaG degrees were calculated. The adsorption process was found to be endothermic and spontaneous. Equilibrium data fitted well to Langmuir adsorption model. This study proved that the LNTPF can be used as an effective, cheap and abundant adsorbent for the treatment of Cu(II) containing wastewaters.     

Studies on the removal of Pb(II) from wastewater by activated carbon developed from Tamarind wood activated with sulphuric acid

The low-cost activated carbon were prepared from Tamarind wood material by chemical activation with sulphuric acid for the adsorption of Pb(II) from dilute aqueous solution. The activated carbon developed shows substantial capacity to adsorb Pb(II) from dilute aqueous solutions. The parameters studied include physical and chemical properties of adsorbent, pH, adsorbent dose, contact time and initial concentrations. The kinetic data were best fitted to the Lagergren pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second order models. The isotherm equilibrium data were well fitted by the Langmuir and Freundlich models. The maximum removal of lead(II) was obtained 97.95% (experimental) and 134.22 mg/g (from Langmuir isotherm model) at initial concentration 40 mg/l, adsorbent dose 3g/l and pH 6.5. This high uptake showed Tamarind wood activated carbon as among the best adsorbents for Pb(II).     

Comparative sorption kinetic studies of ammonium onto zeolite

The sorption kinetics of ammonium onto three types of zeolite, natural zeolite, natural zeolite covered by biofilm and ammonium-bearing zeolite covered by biofilm, at two particle sizes were studied. The pseudo-first order and pseudo-second order models were fitted to the results by a non-linear method. The batch sorption model, based on a pseudo-second order mechanism, was applied to predict the rate constant of sorption, the equilibrium capacity and the initial sorption rate. Ion exchange between NH(4)(+) and cations in the zeolite increased with decreasing particle size of the zeolite. Biofilm covered on the zeolite did not affect the ion exchange for the smaller particle size but decreased the ion exchange capacity by 22% for the larger particle size. In addition, bioregeneration should be considered for the recovery of ion exchange capacity of the bio-zeolite made from ammonium-bearing zeolite by the microorganisms in the biofilm, 78.0 and 63.9% regeneration for the smaller and larger particle size of zeolite, respectively.     

Adsorption of Acid Red 57 from aqueous solutions onto surfactant-modified sepiolite

The adsorption of Acid Red 57 (AR57) onto surfactant-modified sepiolite was investigated in aqueous solution in a batch system with respect to contact time, pH and temperature. The surface modification of surfactant-modified sepiolite was controlled using the FTIR technique. The pseudo-first-order, pseudo-second-order kinetic models and the intraparticle diffusion model were used to describe the kinetic data and the rate constants were evaluated. The experimental data fitted very well the pseudo-second-order kinetic model and also followed the intraparticle diffusion model up to 90 min, whereas diffusion is not only the rate controlling step. The Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption models were applied to describe the equilibrium isotherms and the isotherm constants were also determined. The Freundlich model agrees with experimental data well. The activation energy, change of free energy, enthalpy and entropy of adsorption were also evaluated for the adsorption of AR57 onto surfactant-modified sepiolite. The results indicate that surfactant-modified sepiolite could be employed as low-cost material for the removal of textile dyes from effluents.     

Batch kinetics and isotherms for biosorption of copper(II) ions onto pre-treated powdered waste sludge (PWS)

Waste sludge samples from different plants were tested for Cu(II) ion biosorption capacities with and without pre-treatment. Waste sludge from a paint industry wastewater treatment plant was found to perform better than the others after pre-treatment with 1% H(2)O(2). Powdered waste sludge (PWS) from the paint industry wastewater treatment plant was used for recovery of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution by biosorption after pre-treatment with 1% H(2)O(2). Batch kinetics and isotherms of biosorption of Cu(II) ions were investigated at variable initial Cu(II) concentrations between 50 and 400 mg l(-1) with a PWS particle size of 64 microm. The pseudo-first and -second order kinetic models were used to correlate the experimental data. The kinetic constants were determined for both models and the second order kinetic model was found to be more suitable. The Langmuir, Freundlich and the generalized isotherm models were used to correlate the equilibrium biosorption data and the isotherm constants were determined. The Langmuir isotherm was found to fit the experimental data better than the other isotherms tested. The maximum biosorption capacity (116 mg g(-1)) of the pre-treated powdered waste sludge for Cu(II) ions was found to be superior as compared to the other biosorbents reported in literature.     

Error analysis of equilibrium studies for the almond shell activated carbon adsorption of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions

In this study, the preparation of activated carbon from almond shell with H2SO4 activation and its ability to remove toxic hexavalent chromium from aqueous solutions are reported. The influences of several operating parameters such as pH, particle size and temperature on the adsorption capacity were investigated. Adsorption of Cr(VI) is found to be highly pH, particle size and temperature dependent. Four adsorption isotherm models namely, Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich were used to analyze the equilibrium data. The Langmuir isotherm provided the best correlation for Cr(VI) onto the almond shell activated carbon (ASC). Adsorption capacity was calculated from the Langmuir isotherm as 190.3 mg/g at 323 K. Thermodynamic parameters were evaluated and the adsorption was endothermic showing monolayer adsorption of Cr(VI). Five error functions were used to treat the equilibrium data using non-linear optimization techniques for evaluating the fit of the isotherm equations. The highest correlation for the isotherm equations in this system was obtained for the Freundlich isotherm. ASC is found to be inexpensive and effective adsorbent for removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solutions.     

Sorption of SPADNS azo dye on polystyrene anion exchangers: Equilibrium and kinetic studies

The sorption of SPANDS from aqueous solution onto the macroporous polystyrene anion exchangers of weakly basic Amberlyst A-21 and strongly basic Amberlyst A-29 in a batch method was studied. The effect of initial dye concentration and phase contact time was considered to evaluate the sorption capacity of anion exchangers. Equilibrium data were attempted by various adsorption isotherms including the Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin–Radushkevich (D–R) models. A comparison of kinetic models applied to the adsorption rate constants and equilibrium sorption capacities was made for the Lagergren first-order, pseudo second-order and Morris–Weber intraparticle diffusion kinetic models. The results showed that the adsorption isotherm is in the good agreement with the Langmuir equation and that the adsorption kinetics of SPADNS on both anion exchangers can be best described by the pseudo second-order model.     

Comparison of the efficiency of palladium and silver nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon and zinc oxide nanorods loaded on activated carbon as new adsorbents for removal of Congo red from aqueous solution: Kinetic and isotherm study

The adsorption of Congo red (CR) into three new adsorbents including Palladium and silver nanoparticles loaded on activated carbon (Pd NPs-AC, Ag NPs-AC) and zinc oxide nanorods loaded on activated carbon (ZnO-NRs-AC) in a batch method has been studied following the optimization of effective variables including pH, amount of adsorbents and time. The experimental data was fitted to conventional kinetic models including the pseudo first-order and second-order Elovich and intraparticle diffusion model and based on calculated respective parameters such as rate constants, equilibrium adsorption capacities and correlation coefficients. It was found that for all adsorbents the removal process follows the pseudo second other kinetic model with involvement of interparticle diffusion model. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich, Tempkin and Dubinin and Radushkevich equations and it was found for all adsorbents that the removal process followed the Langmuir isotherm.