Title: Removal of copper and lead ions from aqueous solutions by adsorbent derived from sewage sludge

Authors: YunBo Zhai; GuangMing Zeng; LaFang Wang; XianXun Wei; CaiTing Li; ShanHong Li

Addresses: College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China. ' College of Economy and Trade, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China. ' College of Environmental Science and Engineering, Hunan University, Changsha 410082, China

Abstract: Adsorbent prepared from sewage sludge has been used for the adsorption of Cu²⁺ and Pb2+ from aqueous solutions. It was noted that an increase in removal efficiency achieved 72% and 56% when agitation time achieved 120 min, and a decrease in the removal efficiency from 81% and 70% to 36% and 40% when the heavy metals initial concentration from 10 mg L^?1 to 80 mg L^?1 for Cu2+ and Pb2+ concentration, the removal efficiency increased with the adsorbent concentration increased. The Langmuir model fitted the experimental data reasonably well. The adsorption capacities achieved 9.737 mg g^?1 and 7.386 mg g^?1 for the Cu2+ and Pb2+, respectively. Desorption studies were performed by using dilute hydrochloric acid. Quantitative recovery of the metal ion is possible. The mechanism of adsorption seems to be ion exchange.

Keywords: sewage sludge; heavy metal ions; adsorption isotherms; desorption; heavy metals; copper ions; lead ions; aqueous solutions; dilute hydrochloric acid.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEWM.2011.042633

International Journal of Environment and Waste Management, 2011 Vol.8 No.3/4, pp.229 - 240

Published online: 24 Jan 2015 *

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