Adsorption of fluoride from aqueous solution by acid treated spent bleaching earth

Acid treated spent bleaching earth was studied to assess its capacity for the adsorption of fluoride from aqueous solutions. Adsorption isotherms have been modeled by Langmuir and Freundlich equations and isotherm constants for both isotherms were calculated. The effect of the adsorbent concentration on the adsorption was studied. The dependence of the adsorption of fluoride on the pH of the solution has been studied to achieve the optimum pH-value and a better understanding of the adsorption mechanism. It has been found that maximum adsorption of fluoride from aqueous solutions takes place at pH-value of 3.5. Second-order equation was used to describe the adsorption rate of fluoride and adsorption rate constant was calculated. Intraparticle and mass transfer coefficients were calculated. The influence of addition of the anions on the adsorption of fluoride was also studied to simulate industrial waste waters and the addition of anions decreased the adsorption of fluoride on the acid treated spent bleaching earth (SBE). (C) 2002 Elsevier Science B.V All rights reserved.