Equilibrium study and kinetics of Cu2+ removal from water by zeolite prepared from oil shale ash

Engineered zeolite was produced from oil shale ash by reaction with sodium hydroxide in a closed vessel reactor. This adsorbent was used for removal of copper ions from aqueous solution. The maximum adsorption capacity was 504.6 mg Cu2+/g zeolite. Kinetic studies showed that the rate of adsorption of copper is increased with increasing the solution pH and temperature, quantity of the zeolite and agitation speed. The kinetic data were fitted to homogeneous micropore model and found that the mass transfer coefficient and diffusivity of the Cu2+ are directly affected by the kinetic parameters. The increase in solution concentration will decrease the mass transfer coefficient while diffusivity is increased. (C) 2009 The Institution of Chemical Engineers. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.