Dynamics of Pb(II) adsorption on nanostructured γ-alumina: calculations of axial dispersion and overall mass transfer coefficients in the fixed-bed column.

Abstract

In the present study, the removal of metal ions Pb(II) using nanostructured γ-alumina was investigated by tests on batch operations and fixed-bed columns. Optimization was determined for factors effective on adsorption such as pH, contact time of metal solution with adsorbent and initial solution concentration. The optimum pH level was determined at 4.5 and the maximum adsorption percentage was achieved at 150 minutes. pHpzc was measured 8.3 for nanostructured γ-Al2O3. The Langmuir, Freundlich and Temkin isotherms were used to analyze the experimental data. The Langmuir isotherm model showed the best agreement with the experimental data. The model showed evaluations for maximum adsorption capacity of adsorbent at 119.04 mg/g and adsorbent bed performance for different flow rates, bed heights and influent concentrations were also investigated. The lumped method was used to solve the bed equations, to predict the breakthrough curve and model overall mass transfer coefficient (Koverall) and axial dispersion coefficient (Dz) parameters to make comparisons with experimental results.