Dynamic adsorption of Cd2+ from aqueous solution using biochar of pine-fruit residue

• Published in: Indian chemical engineer (Calcutta, India : 1997) Vol. 62; no. 2; pp. 170 - 183
• Main Authors: Meshram, Pawan D., Bhagwat, Sunil S.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi Taylor & Francis 01.06.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adsorption; Aqueous solutions; Biochar; Cadmium; column study; Comparative studies; Error analysis; Error functions; Ion concentration; Mathematical models; modelling; Parameters; Residues; Sorption; Surface chemistry; Surface properties; Titration
• ISSN: 0019-4506; 0975-007X
• DOI: 10.1080/00194506.2019.1653231

The present investigation describes the applicability of biochar of pine-fruit residue (PFR) as a novel adsorbent for Cd 2+ adsorption in the packed-bed system. Biochar was characterised for surface properties using BET surface area, Boehm titration, FT-IR and a scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Experiments were performed to investigate the influence of operational parameters such as bed height (Z = 5, 10 and 20 cm), metal-ion concentration (C o  = 25, 50 and 100 mg · L −1 ) and flow-rate (Q = 2, 5 and 10 mL · min −1 ) on Cd 2+ uptake capacity (q exp ). Maximum q exp of 17.93 mg · g −1 corresponding to 51.90% of Cd 2+ removal was obtained for Z = 5 cm, C o  = 50 mg · L −1 , Q = 2 mL · min −1 at pH 6.9 and 303 K. Established Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models were used to analyse experimental data and the model parameters were evaluated. The comparative study of error functions of Cd 2+ adsorption capacity predicted by model showed that Thomas model is the best fit. The sorption efficiency of regenerated biochar in successive sorption-desorption cycles was 38.96% at the end of the third cycle.