Application of raw peach stones for hexavalent chromium removal from aqueous solution using column system

Abstract

Raw biosorbent waste is a cheap and environmentally friendly material that provides good cost-benefit for the industries that use it. The objective of this study is to improve the feasibility of raw local peach stones (RPS) waste for the removal of hexavalent chromium from aqueous solution using column system. The characterization of the adsorbent (RPS) was done by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). The impact of various parameters such as flow rate (1.5,3 and 5 ml/min) and height bed (1,2 and 3 cm) on Cr(VI) adsorption onto RPS were investigated. Two models were proposed to illustrate column breakthrough curve obtained at different flow rates and bed heights. The obtained experimental results showed a better adsorption efficiency at a low flow rate (1.5 ml/min) and a bed height of 3cm. Thus this work provides the high potential of raw peach stones (RPS) for the removal of Cr(VI) ions from aqueous solution.