Kinetics of the combined sorption of copper(II) and nonionic surfactant by carboxylic acrylcationic exchanger

Abstract

Kinetics of the simultaneous sorption of nonionic surfactant alkylmonoethers (ALM-10) and copper(II) cations by the hydrogen-containing form of Purolite C106 carboxylic acrylcationic exchanger has been investigated considering the possibility to control the concentration of both copper(II) and the surfactant in sewage effluents: kinetic curves were measured, coefficients of intraparticle diffusion (D) and external mass transfer diffusion (β) calculated. On increasing the acidity from pH 5 to 3 both the rate of intraparticle diffusion and the equilibrium sorption of copper(II) decrease but the corresponding parameters for ALM-10 increase. The action of copper(II) leads to an increase in the rate of ALM-10 intraparticle diffusion but results to a decrease in ALM-10 equilibrium sorption. Combined sorption of nonionic surfactant and copper(II) by hydrogen-containing form of Purolite C106 can be applicable for the purification of sewage including copper plating rinsewater from both contaminants simultaneously: accordingly to the coefficients of intraparticle diffusion for both copper(II) and the surfactant, the sorber filled with Purolite C106 would not limit the productivity if integrated into the system of sewage purification by ion exchangers.