The removal of Fe(111) ions by adsorption onto zeolite columns

The uptake capacity of Fe(111) ions by NaY zeolite was investigated in this work. Column experiments were undertaken on continuous systems at 30 degrees C, pH = 3.5, employing a flow rate of 2 ml/min and an average particle size of 0.180 mm. The dynamic system exhibited a distinct ion-exchange mechanism which generated a favourable isotherm with an Fe(111) ion uptake of 2.16 mequiv/g. A mathematical model was also applied to represent the dynamics of the sorption process. The dynamic isotherm was successfully modelled by the Langmuir equation while the mathematical model gave a good description of the experimental dynamic data for feed concentrations ranging from 0.2 mequiv/l to 3.5 mequiv/l. The ion-exchange kinetics for Fe(111) ions were studied using the first-, second-order and Langmuir kinetic models.