Mathematical modelling and simulation of packed bed column for the efficient adsorption of Cu(II) ions using modified bio-polymeric material

Abstract In this study, the application ability of a produced bio-polymer material as a chelating adsorbent for the adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solution was assessed in a packed bed column. The material was characterised by some physical and chemical technique. The SEM image showed that the material is made up of an orderly porous structure, which will aid adsorption in the process, while BET proved that the material possesses large surface areas. The experimental data were fitted to the Swan model. The Swan model, in combination with the adsorption parameters obtained from pH equilibrium model, was used to predict column breakthrough curves for the adsorption of Cu(II) ions onto the adsorbent. The model was able to predict the breakthrough curve reasonably well at column operation pH of 5.1 and the diffusion coefficient was calculated to be between 2.82 × 10 −10 and 3.12 × 10 −10  m 2 /s at different bed heights. Several adsorption and desorption cycles were carried out during the column operation. There was a mass loss of the beads during the third and fourth cycles of adsorption and desorption cycles of 5.0 and 11.0 percent respectively. The used adsorbent capacities in the second, third and fourth cycles of adsorption were 98, 91 and 86 percent respectively. In the fifth cycle of adsorption desorption operations, the adsorption performances reduced greatly in comparison to previous cycles and a 22 percent weight loss in the mass of the beads was observed.