Optimization of the process factors affecting extraction of Uranium from acidic solution using Activated Carbon and kinetics studies of the adsorption process

Abstract

Activated carbon exhibits a great potential as an adsorbent because of its favorable physical/chemical surface characteristics. The objective of this research is to investigate the feasibility of activated carbon for the adsorption of uranium from aqueous solutions. All laboratory experiments were conducted at ambient temperature by following a batch adsorption technique. The impact parameters that affect the uranium adsorption such as stirring time, pH of the solution, initial uranium concentration have been optimized. The obtained results indicate that the adsorption is pH dependent. The maximum adsorption capacity of U (VI) took place at pH 5.0 for 60 minutes contact time and initial uranium concentration of 125 ppm. The experimental adsorption data was described using Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models. Equilibrium adsorption data fitted the Langmuir adsorption isotherm well with R^2=0.9773. The values of parameters calculated from the kinetic models were best fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic model, with the correlation coefficient of R^2=0.9810.