Biosorption of Cadmium(II) Ions by Citrus Peels in a Packed Bed Column: Effect of Process Parameters and Comparison of Different Breakthrough Curve Models

The efficiency of low cost citrus peels as biosorbents for removal of cadmium ions from aqueous solution was investigated in a fixed bed column, a process that could be applied to treat industrial wastewaters similar to commonly used ion exchange columns. Effluent concentration versus time profiles (i.e., breakthrough curves) were experimentally determined in a laboratory-scale packed bed column for varying operational parameters such as flow rate (2, 9, and 15.5 mL/min), influent cadmium concentration (5, 10, and 15mg/L), and bed height (24, 48, and 72 cm) at pH 5.5. Column operation was most efficient for empty bed contact times of at least 10 min, which were apparently necessary for mass transfer. While the sorption capacity was largely unaffected by operational variables, the Thomas (Th) rate constant increased with the flow rate, and slightly decreased with increasing column length. Three widely used semi-mechanistic models (Th, Bohart-Adams, and Yoon-Nelson) were shown to be equivalent and the generalized model was compared with a two-parameter empirical model (dose-response). The latter was found to be able to better simulate the breakthrough curve in the region of breakthrough and saturation.