Biosorption of Pb2+ from aqueous solutions by Moringa oleifera bark: equilibrium and kinetic studies.

Biosorption of Pb(2+) from aqueous solution by biomass prepared from Moringa oleifera bark (MOB), an agricultural solid waste has been studied. Parameters that influence the biosorption such as pH, biosorbent dose, contact time and concentration of metal ion were investigated. The experimental equilibrium adsorption data were tested by four widely used two-parameter equations, the Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and Temkin isotherms. Results indicated that the data of Pb(2+) adsorption onto MOB were best fit by the Freundlich model. The adsorption capacity (Q(m)) calculated from the Langmuir isotherm was 34.6mgPb(2+)g(-1) at an initial pH of 5.0. Adsorption kinetics data were analyzed using the pseudo-first-, pseudo-second-order equations and intraparticle diffusion models. The results indicated that the adsorption kinetic data were best described by pseudo-second-order model. Infrared (IR) spectral analysis revealed that the lead ions were chelated to hydroxyl and/or carboxyl functional groups present on the surface of MOB. Biosorbent was effective in removing lead in the presence of common metal ions like Na(+), K(+), Ca(2+) and Mg(2+) present in water. Desorption studies were carried out with dilute hydrochloric acid for quantitative recovery of the metal ion as well as to regenerate the adsorbent. Based on the results obtained such as good uptake capacity, rapid kinetics, and its low cost, M. oleifera bark appears to be a promising biosorbent material for the removal of heavy metal ions from wastewater/effluents.

Removal of some metal ions by activated carbon prepared from Phaseolus aureus hulls.

Removal of lead [Pb(II)], zinc [Zn(II)], copper [Cu(II)], and cadmium [Cd(II)] from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from Phaseolus aureus hulls (ACPAH), an agricultural waste was studied. The influence of various parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, and initial concentration of metal ions on the removal was evaluated by batch method. The removal of metal ions by ACPAH was pH dependent and the optimum pH values were 7.0, 8.0, 7.0 and 6.0 for Cu(II), Cd(II), Zn(II), and Pb(II), respectively. The sorption isotherms were studied using Langmuir, Freundlich, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R), and Temkin isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity values of ACPAH for metal ions were 21.8 mg g(-1) for Pb(II), 21.2 mg g(-1) for Zn(II), 19.5 mg g(-1) for Cu(II), and 15.7 mg g(-1) for Cd(II). The experiments demonstrated that the removal of metal ions followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Desorption experiments were carried out using HCl solution with a view to regenerate the spent adsorbent and to recover the adsorbed metal ions.

Removal of mercury from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from agricultural by-product/waste.

Removal of mercury from aqueous solutions using activated carbon prepared from Ceiba pentandra hulls, Phaseolus aureus hulls and Cicer arietinum waste was investigated. The influence of various parameters such as effect of pH, contact time, initial metal ion concentration and adsorbent dose for the removal of mercury was studied using a batch process. The experiments demonstrated that the adsorption process corresponds to the pseudo-second-order-kinetic models and the equilibrium adsorption data fit the Freundlich isotherm model well. The prepared adsorbents ACCPH, ACPAH and ACCAW had removal capacities of 25.88 mg/g, 23.66 mg/g and 22.88 mg/g, respectively, at an initial Hg(II) concentration of 40 mg/L. The order of Hg(II) removal capacities of these three adsorbents was ACCPH>ACPAH>ACCAW. The adsorption behavior of the activated carbon is explained on the basis of its chemical nature. The feasibility of regeneration of spent activated carbon adsorbents for recovery of Hg(II) and reuse of the adsorbent was determined using HCl solution.

Activated carbon from Ceiba pentandra hulls, an agricultural waste, as an adsorbent in the removal of lead and zinc from aqueous solutions.

The ability of low-cost activated carbon prepared from Ceiba pentandra hulls, an agricultural waste material, for the removal of lead and zinc from aqueous solutions has been investigated. In the batch tests experimental parameters were studied, including solution pH, contact time, adsorbent dose and initial metal ions concentration. The adsorbent exhibited good sorption potential at pH 6.0. Maximum removal of lead (99.5%) and of zinc (99.1%) with 10 g/l of sorbent was observed at 50 mg/L sorbate concentration. Removals of about 60-70% occurred in 10 min, and equilibrium was attained at around 50 min for both metals. The functional groups (CO, SO,-OH) present on the carbon surface were responsible for the adsorption of metal ions. The adsorption parameters were analysed using both the Freundlich and Langmuir models. The data are better fitted by the Freundlich isotherm as compared to Langmuir model, and the adsorption capacities for lead and zinc were 25.5 and 24.1 mg/g, respectively. Kinetics of adsorption obeyed a second order rate equation and the rate constant was found to be 2.71 x 10(-2) and 2.08 x 10(-2) g/mg/min for lead and zinc, respectively. The desorption studies were carried out using dilute HCl, and the effect of HCl concentration on desorption was studied. Maximum desorptions of 85% for lead and 78% for zinc were attained with 0.15 M HCl.

Removal of copper and cadmium from the aqueous solutions by activated carbon derived from Ceiba pentandra hulls.

Activated carbon prepared from Ceiba pentandra hulls, an agricultural solid waste by-product, for the removal of copper and cadmium from aqueous solutions has been studied. Parameters such as equilibrium time, effect of pH and adsorbent dose on removal were studied. The adsorbent exhibited good sorption potential for copper and cadmium at pH 6.0. C=O and S=O functional groups present on the carbon surface were the adsorption sites to remove metal ions from solution. The experimental data was analysed by both Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm models. The maximum adsorption capacity of copper and cadmium was calculated from Langmuir isotherm and found to be 20.8 and 19.5 mg/g, respectively. The sorption kinetics of the copper and cadmium have been analysed by Lagergren pseudo-first-order and pseudo-second-order kinetic models. The desorption studies were carried out using dilute hydrochloric acid solution and the effect of HCl concentration on desorption was also studied. Maximum desorption of 90% for copper and 88% for cadmium occurred with 0.2 M HCl.