Kinetics and Equilibrium of Radioactive Metal Adsorption onto Sugarcane Bagasse Waste: Comparison of Batch and Column Adsorption Modes

Abstract

Sugarcane bagasse waste biomass (SBWB) efficacy for the adsorption of Zr(IV) was investigated in batch and column modes. The process variables i.e. pH 1–4 (A), adsorbent dosage 0.0–0.3 g (B), and Zr(IV) ions initial concentration 25–200 mg/L (C) were studied. The experiments were run under central composite design (CCD) and data was analysed by response surface methodology (RSM) methodology. The factor A, B, C, AB interaction and square factor A2, C2 affected the Zr(IV) ions adsorption onto SBWB. The quadratic model fitted well to the adsorption data with high R2 values. The effect of bed height, flow rate and Zr(IV) ions initial concentration was also studied for column mode adsorption and efficiency was evaluated by breakthrough curves as well as Bed Depth Service and Thomas models. Bed height and Zr(IV) ions initial concentration enhanced the adsorption of capacity of Zr(IV) ions, whereas flow rate reduced the column efficiency.