Enhanced adsorption performance of oxidised coconut coir for removal of Cd(II) ions by multi-column arrangement in series.

Biosorption potential of oxidised coconut coir (OCC) for removal of Cd(II) was evaluated by multi-column arrangement by connecting three columns in series. Effect of flow rate at 5, 10 and 15 mL/min was studied at 30 mg/L initial Cd(II) concentration. The dynamic capacity of the system was found to be 321, 206 and 83 mg/L for 5, 10 and 15 mL/min flow rates, respectively, by applying the bed depth service time model. Biosorbent usage rates for single-column and multi-column systems were compared. Better utilisation of biosorbent was observed when the columns are connected in series at similar operating parameters. A simple acid-base regeneration procedure was found to be effective in desorbing/regenerating the cadmium bound biosorbent. Adsorption efficiency was found to decrease from 76.3% for the first cycle to 72.2% and 70.6% in the second and third cycles, respectively. Regeneration efficiencies were more than 94% up to 3 cycles. The study highlights the effectiveness of the multi-column system in biosorption against the conventional single-column system.

Recovery of Ga(III) by Raw and Alkali Treated Citrus limetta Peels.

Alkali treated Citrus limetta peels were used for recovery of Ga(III) from its aqueous solution. The raw and alkali treated peels were characterized for functional groups. The efficiency of adsorption increased from 47.62 mg/g for raw peels to 83.33 mg/g for alkali treated peels. Between pH 1 and 3, the adsorption increased and thereafter decreased drastically. The adsorption followed pseudosecond order kinetics and Langmuir isotherm gave the best fit for the experimental data. Desorption studies showed 95.28% desorption after 3 cycles for raw peels while it was 89.51% for alkali treated peels. Simulated Bayer liquor showed 39.57% adsorption for gallium ions on raw peels which was enhanced to 41.13% for alkali treated peels.