Mathematical modelling of Pb2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cr6+ and Cd2+ ions adsorption from a synthetic acid mine drainage onto chitosan derivative in a packed bed column

Studies on the adsorption of toxic metal ions in batch mode using modified chitosan beads have been reported by several authors in literature; for large-scale operations, packed bed column studies are performed to generate data that are directly applicable in real wastewater treatment. In this work, the application potential of chitosan derivative for the uptake of Pb2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, Zn2+, Cr6+, and Cd2+ ions from aqueous solution in a packed bed adsorption column was investigated. On this note, the adsorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Scanning electron microscope (SEM); the effect of breakthrough parameters such as influent concentration, bed height, and feed flow rate was determined. The experimental data were fitted to mathematical column models, namely Bed Depth Service Time (BDST), Yoon-Nelson and Thomas model. The removal efficiency, breakthrough and exhaustion time increased with an increase in bed height but decreased with an increase in the flow rate and influent concentration. The mathematical models applied in this study were successful in describing experimental data. Desorption studies were performed with no loss in the mass of the beads, and the breakthrough and exhaustion time were found to be the same on reusing the beads.