Simulation of a fixed bed adsorber packed with protonated cross-linked chitosan gel beads to remove nitrate from contaminated water

Abstract The objective of the work are in-depth experimental studies of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ion removal on chitosan gel beads from both one- and two-component water solutions at the temperature of 303 K. The optimal process conditions such as: pH value, dose of sorbent and contact time were determined. Based on the optimal process conditions, equilibrium and kinetic studies were carried out. The maximum sorption capacities equaled: 191.25 mg/g and 142.88 mg/g for Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions respectively, when the sorbent dose was 10 g/L and the pH of a solution was 5.0 for both heavy metal ions. One-component sorption equilibrium data were successfully presented for six of the most useful three-parameter equilibrium models: Langmuir-Freundlich, Redlich-Peterson, Sips, Koble-Corrigan, Hill and Toth. Extended forms of Langmuir-Freundlich, Koble-Corrigan and Sips models were also well fitted to the two-component equilibrium data obtained for different ratios of concentrations of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions (1:1, 1:2, 2:1). Experimental sorption data were described by two kinetic models of the pseudo-first and pseudo-second order. Furthermore, an attempt to explain the mechanisms of the divalent metal ion sorption process on chitosan gel beads was undertaken.

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Zeolite/Cerium Oxide Coat-on Activated Alumina Ball for Arsenite Removal via Fixed- Bed Continuous Flow Adsorption Column

Applied Science and Engineering Progress ◽

10.14416/j.asep.2021.11.004 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Suttikorn Suwannatrai ◽

Dickson Y. S. Yan ◽

Pummarin Khamdahsag ◽

Visanu Tanboonchuy

Keyword(s):

Cerium Oxide ◽

Flow Rate ◽

Continuous Flow ◽

Human Life ◽

Fixed Bed ◽

Point Of Zero Charge ◽

Contaminated Water ◽

Activated Alumina ◽

Initial Flow ◽

Alumina Ball

Arsenite (As(III)) has threatened human life for ages. It is a necessity to remove As(III) from the contaminated water before general use. With the improvement of adsorption, higher As(III) removal can be achieved. This study aimed to develop zeolite/cerium oxide coat-on activated alumina ball adsorbent (CeZ-ball) with the aid of PVA binder and apply it to a fixed-bed continuous flow column for As(III) adsorption. The coating percentage of CeZ-ball was studied. Cerium ions leaching from CeZ-ball were monitored throughout the 2,880-min-column run to confirm the stability of CeZ attached to an activated alumina ball. Surface area, pH point of zero charge, and structural property of CeZ-ball were characterized. An average CeZ coating of 83.3% and rare leaching of cerium proved the coating method. The models proposed by Yoon-Nelson provided the most satisfactory fit with the breakthrough curve (r2 = 0.985, MPSD = 2.547, and q0 = 3.481 mg·g–1) under experimental conditions of the flow rate of 5 mL·min–1, As(III) influent concentration of 1 mg·L–1, and CeZ-ball weight of 40 g. The half-time of breakthrough (τ) was 1,228.739 min. The effects of the key parameters, including initial adsorbent weight, initial flow rate, and initial As(III) concentration, were investigated for the performance of As(III) adsorption. Simulated from the Yoon-Nelson model, the τ increased as well as the adsorbent weight but decreased as the flow rate increased, thus impacting the As(III) concentration. With the optimal condition, the fixed-bed continuous column with CeZ-ball could be used in As(III) removal from contaminated water.

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