Column adsorption of aniline by a surface modified jute fiber and its regeneration property

Abstract

Pyromellitic dianhydride (PMDA) modified jute fiber was prepared for aniline adsorption from aqueous solution in a fixed-bed column. A series of column tests were performed to determine the breakthrough characteristics, by varying bed depths (12–48mm), influent flow rates (10–20mL/min) and initial concentrations (50–200mg/L). Results illustrated an encouraging performance for aniline adsorption, with an adsorption capacity of 91.5mg/g, at an influent concentration of 200mg/L and adsorbent bed depth of 24mm. Dynamic adsorption behavior was satisfactory described by Thomas, Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) and Yoon-Nelson models. Dynamic modeling analysis revealed that the best predictions of breakthrough curves were obtained with the BDST model. The exhausted biosorbent could get an effective desorption with 0.5M hydrochloric acid solution. After three regeneration cycles, above 95% adsorption capacity of the biosorbent was maintained. The findings reveal that the modified jute fiber is a potential adsorbent for aniline pollution remediation.