Kinetic Modeling of Multiple Adsorption of Heavy Metal Ions Using Activated Carbon from Nigerian Bamboo for Design of Adsorbers

Abstract

In this study, the kinetics modeling for design of adsorbers for multiple adsorption of heavy metal ions was carried out using activated carbon from waste Nigerian bamboo. The bamboo was cut into sizes, washed, dried and was carbonized at 350°C-500°C. It was then activated at 800°C using nitric acid. Simultaneous batch adsorption of different heavy metal ions (Cd 2+ , Ni 2+ , Pb 2+ , Cr 3+ ,Cu 2+ and Zn 2+) in same aqueous solution using activated carbon from Nigerian bamboo was carried out at different initial concentration till equilibrium was reached. In order to determine the mechanism of sorption for multiple adsorption of these heavy metals ions, the kinetic data were modeled using the pseudo first order, pseudo second order kinetic equations, and intra-particle diffusion models. The pseudo first order did not fit well into the kinetic data. The pseudo second order equation was the best applicable model to describe the sorption process. Hence the pseudo second order kinetic reaction is the rate controlling step with some intra particle diffusion taking place. An empirical model was also developed which can then be used for predicting and designing adsorber for the multiple removal of 99% heavy metal ions at any given initial heavy metal ions concentration and the adsorption time required for any multi-stage adsorption system using Nigerian Bamboo activated carbon.

Adsorption of lead, copper and zinc in a multi-metal aqueous solution by waste rubber tires for the design of single batch adsorber

“…Amongst the few multimetal adsorption processes investigated are the removal of Cd, Cu, Ni and Zn by black gram husk [ 19 ]; Cd, Ni, Pb, Cr, Cu, and Zn by Nigerian Bamboo [ 20 ]; Ni, Cu and Cr by sunflower plant biomass-based carbon [ 21 ]; Pb and Cd by Carpobrotus edulis plant [ 22 ]; removal of Pb, Cd, Cu and Ni by Ultrafine Mesoporous Magnetite Nanoparticles [ 23 ]; Pb and Cu by Van apple pulp in single- and multi-solute systems [ 24 ]; Zn, Ni and Cd by Olive stone [ 25 ]; Cu, Ni and Cd by olive stone [ 26 ]. No study has yet been carried out on the removal of metal ions by waster rubber tires in multimetal solutions, although several materials have been reported to effectively adsorb them from single metal solutions [ 27 , 28 , 29 ].…”