Removal of Cu(II) by biosorption onto coconut shell in fixed-bed column systems.

Abstract: Biosorption of Cu(II) onto coconut shell, an agricultural biomaterial, was studied in a fixed-bed column. The Cu(II) biosorption column had the best performance at 10mgL⁻¹ inlet Cu(II) concentration, 10mLmin⁻¹ flow rate and 20cm bed depth. The equilibrium uptake of Cu(II) amounted to 7.25mgg⁻¹. The simulation of the breakthrough curve was successful with the BDST and Yoon–Nelson models, but the entire breakthrough curve was best predicted by the Clark model. The design of a fixed bed column for Cu(II) removal from wastewater by biosorption onto coconut shell can be done based on these models. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]