Copper removal from effluents using a sulphonated lignite Bath and fixed-bed studies

Copper(ll) retention by a sulphonated lignite has been studied under equilibrium (adsorption isotherms) and dynamic (fixed-bed) conditions. Adsorption isotherms were fitted to the Langmuir equation from which saturation capacity and distribution coefficient for the sulpholignite were calculated. Breakthrough curves were determined and the overall mass transfer coefficients and exchange zone height were calculated from them. A model for the exchange mechanism is proposed.