Study of Pb2+ adsorption in a packed bed column of bentonite using CFD

Objectives: In this study, experiments and CFD (Computational Fluid Dynamics) simulations were conducted to investigate lead ion (Pb2+) adsorption in bentonite. Method: Experiments were carried out in a fixed bed column at 30 degrees C, pH = 4.0 and average particle diameter of 0.127 mm. The influence of the flow rate on the breakthrough curves was examined with constant inlet concentration equal to 0.88 meq L-1. The CPU technique was used for the simulation of flow patterns and ion concentration profiles inside the fixed bed column during the adsorption process. A 2D axisymmetric model based on Navier-Stokes and diffusion-convection equations was used for simulating the fluid phase. Results: Experimental data obtained for different inlet flow rates and Pb2+ concentrations were used for validating the model. Conclusion: The CPU simulations predicted the experimental behavior of the fixed bed adsorption very well in all conditions under study. (C) 2014 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.