Batch and continuous packed bed column studies on biosorption of nickel (II) by sugarcane bagasse

Abstract

Biosorption of Ni (II) ions from aqueous solution in both batch and fixed column mode of operation was investigated in this study. Batch experiment parameters, initial pH (2–7), contact time (10 min to 240 min), sugarcane bagasse mass (0.25 g–3 g) and initial Ni (II) ion concentrations (20–100 ppm) on biosorption of Ni (II) were studied. Langmuir, Temkin and Freundlich isotherm models and pseudo first order and second order kinetic models were used to evaluate isotherm and kinetic parameters. The fixed bed column experiment was conducted with an initial Ni (II) ion concentration of 100 ppm at a bed depth of 10 cm and 5 cm using sugarcane bagasse pellets. Breakthrough time was found to be 1500 and 600 min for chosen bed height. The results from the study were aimed to contribute in understanding Ni (II) biosorption process, mechanism and parameters influencing biosorption in batch and packed bed column. These studies have demonstrated sugarcane bagasse as a potential biosorbent for Ni (II) biosorption.