Adsorption of Pb(II) Ions from Aqueous Solution in Fixed Bed Column by Mixture of Clay plus Bamboo Biochar

Abstract

Fixed bed column experiments were conducted to investigate the adsorption potential of adsorbent mixture called CB containing Sudanese clay (CS) and bamboo biochar (BB) to form CB adsorbent for the removal of Pb(II) from aqueous solution. Characterization of CS was performed using FTIR, XRD, and XRF techniques; and, for BB, FTIR, and SEM. Effects of solution flow rate (10 - 20 ml/min), bed height (10 - 40 mm), and initial Pb(II) concentration (5 - 30 mg/L) on the breakthrough characteristics of the adsorption process were investigated. The adsorption process system was found to be better performed at low feed flow rate, low CB bed height, and high Pb(II) inlet concentration. Bed depth service time (BDST) model was used in the column performance experimental data, and model parameters were evaluated. Three other models were used to fit the adsorption data: Adams-Bohart, Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson. All models were good, but the coefficient of determination for the first and the 2 latter models were found to yield a better fit than the Adams-Bohart model and, hence, these were used to predict the adsorption of Pb(II) ions in the fixed bed column. The CB mixture was shown to be a suitable adsorbent for adsorption, or removal, of Pb(II).