Green coconut shells applied as adsorbent for removal of toxic metal ions using fixed-bed column technology

Published Date
August 2010, Vol.91(8):1634–1640, doi:10.1016/j.jenvman.2010.02.011

• Author 

• Francisco W. Sousa ^c
• André G. Oliveira ^a
• Jefferson P. Ribeiro ^a
• Morsyleide F. Rosa ^b
• Denis Keukeleire ^d
• Ronaldo F. Nascimento ^a,,

• aLaboratory of Trace Analysis, Department of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Federal University of Ceará – UFC, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
• bEmbrapa, Tropical Agroindustry, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
• cDepartment of Hydraulic and Environmental Engineering, Federal University of Ceará – UFC, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil
• dGhent University, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Harelbekestraat 72, B-9000 Ghent, Belgium

Received 25 July 2009. Revised 24 November 2009. Accepted 8 February 2010. Available online 18 April 2010.

Abstract

This study applies green coconut shells as adsorbent for the removal of toxic metal ions from aqueous effluents using column adsorption. The results show that a flow rate of 2 mL/min and a bed height of 10 cm are most feasible. Furthermore, larger amounts of effluent can be treated for removal of single ions. The breakthrough curves for multiple elements gave the order of adsorption capacity: Cu⁺² > Pb⁺² > Cd⁺² > Zn⁺² > Ni⁺². Real samples arising from the electroplating industry can be efficiently handled.

Keywords

Adsorption

Green coconut shells

Toxic metal ions

Fixed-bed technology

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  Corresponding author at: Laboratory of Trace Analysis, Department of Analytical and Physical Chemistry, Federal University of Ceara – UFC, Block 939, Campus do Pici s/n, CEP 60455-760, Fortaleza, CE, Brazil. Tel.: +55 85 3366 99 58; fax: +55 85 3366 99 82.

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