Optimising batch adsorbers for the removal of zinc from effluents using a sodium diimidoacetate ion exchange resin

An ion exchange resin, based on the sodium diimidoacetate structure, has been tested for the removal of zinc ions from effluents. After employing three isotherm models, namely, Langmuir, Freundlich and Langmuir-Freundlich to measure and analyse equilibrium isotherms, a series of agitated batch experiments have been carried out to optimise the removal of zinc ions in a two-stage batch system. The first optimisation model involves minimising the total amount of resin required to achieve a specific percentage zinc removal. The second optimisation study involves minimising the total batch contact time to achieve a certain percentage zinc removal.