Batch adsorption studies on copper removal from an aqueous solution using natural zeolite: Process optimization

Abstract

The ability of natural zeolite to remove copper ions from an aqueous solution was examined. The research aims to optimize adsorption operational variables, which include the amount of zeolite, pH, contact time, and initial heavy metal concentration for copper removal using zeolite. The research was conducted in batch experiments. The ranges of operational conditions are as follows: 0.2 - 1.0 g of zeolite, pH 4 - 8, 2 - 60 minutes of contact time, and 5 - 50 mg/L of initial concentration of copper. The outcomes indicated that the percentage removal of copper using zeolite achieved the best performance at an optimized adsorbent dosage of 1.0 g, a pH of 6, a contact time of 20 minutes with 135 rpm, and an initial copper concentration of 5 mg/L. To sum up, zeolite is an efficient adsorbent that is capable of separating copper from water-based solutions.