Abstract
The intent in this paper is to define how the batch equilibrium results of copper removal from a synthetic solution on natural zeolite can be used for prediction of the breakthrough curves in the fixed-bed system for both a synthetic solution and wastewater. Natural zeolite from the Vranjska Banja deposit, Serbia, has been fully characterized (XRD, chemical composition, DTA/TG, SEM/EDS) as a clinoptilolite with cation exchange capacity of 146 meq/100 g. The maximum adsorption capacity (qm) in the batch of the mono-component system (synthetic copper solution) obtained using the Langmuir isotherm model was 7.30 and 6.10 mg/g for particle size below 0.043 and 0.6–0.8 mm, respectively. Using the flow-through system with the 0.6–0.8 mm zeolite fixed-bed, almost double the adsorption capacity (11.2–12.2 mg/g) has been achieved in a saturation point for the copper removal from the synthetic solution, compared to the batch. Better results are attributed to the constant high concentration gradient in flow-through systems compared to the batch. The complex composition of wastewater and large amounts of earth alkaline metals disturb free adsorption sights on the zeolite surface. This results in a less effective adsorption in flow-through systems with adsorption capacity in breakthrough point of 5.84 mg/g (~0.95 × qm) and in a saturation point of 7.10 mg/g (~1.15 × qm).
Highlights
Copper is one of the most present metals in the industry due to its widest application compared to all non-ferrous metals
The maximum adsorption capacity in the batch system from wastewater is 4.97 mg/g and this value is up to 80% of the removal capacity from the mono-component system
Adsorption capacity in the saturation point in the flow-through system is 7.05 mg/g, which is 60% of the capacity achieved with the synthetic solution
Summary
Copper is one of the most present metals in the industry due to its widest application compared to all non-ferrous metals (electroplating, power and electronics industry, light industry, machine industry, architecture, petrochemical industry, etc.). The copper mine plants are designed with the capacity that is more than ten times higher compared with the other heavy metals facilities. There is a growing interest in solving the environmental issues of the copper mine industry especially because the heavy metals are non-biodegradable and tend to accumulate in living organisms causing serious diseases and disorders [1]. Mining wastewater is an undesirable side effect of the exploitation of copper ore. During the excavation of the deposit, self-leaching of copper oxide structures frequently occurs, both at the open-pit mine as well as during underground exploitation.
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