Title: Biosorptional studies on heavy metals in an up-flow packed bed reactor using biomaterials
Authors: S. Sabarunisha Begum; S. Muthukumar; S. Mohamed Yacin
Addresses: Department of Biotechnology, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam – 602105 Chennai, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Biotechnology, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam – 602105 Chennai, Tamilnadu, India ' Department of Biomedical Engineering, Rajalakshmi Engineering College, Thandalam – 602105 Chennai, Tamilnadu, India
Abstract: Biosorption of copper, chromium, lead and cadmium in an up-flow packed-bed bioreactor with biosorbents [sanitary sewage sludge (SS), powdered coconut shell (PCS)] was conducted in a search for solutions to the environmental problem caused by heavy metals. Analysis of the results, demonstrated that the adsorbent had an extraordinary capacity for biosorption of the heavy metals, with a removal percentage of over 90% almost for all metals. The mechanism of the process was evaluated by FT-IR analysis and the functional groups employed in the process were determined. The presence of RNO2 peak at 1,421 cm−1 for unloaded sanitary SS and the presence of C-H group of aromatic ring for unloaded PCS play a major role in adsorption process. In regeneration experiments, increase in sorption performance was observed during cycles of sorption-desorption indicates a maximum adsorption during the onset of the process. Kinetic models (Adams-Bohart model, Yoon and Nelson equation and Thomas model) analysed for the continuous packed-bed biosorption systems are used to determine the biosorption capacity, breakthrough curve of biosorbent and to design of treatment processes.
Keywords: biosorption; heavy metals; packed-bed reactors; sanitary sewage sludge; powdered coconut shells; PCS; FTIR; kinetic modelling; biomaterials; bioreactors; copper; chromium; lead; cadmium; wastewater treatment; effluent treatment; environmental pollution.
International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2013 Vol.5 No.4, pp.423 - 437
Accepted: 27 Dec 2011
Published online: 31 Oct 2013 *