Dynamic adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon beds

The dynamic adsorption of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solutions using a granulated activated carbon and an activated carbon cloth has been studied using fixed bed adsorption column. The breakthrough curves at different hydraulic loading rates (HLR), bed depth and feed concentration (C(o)) have been examined The breakthrough time at any given concentration of the effluent decreases with increasing hydraulic loading rate and feed concentration but increases with increasing bed depth. The adsorption capacity of the carbon bed increases with increasing HLR and attains a maximum value at HLR of 1.22 m(3)/h/m(2). The adsorption zone parameters and column design parameters have been determined using BDST, Yoon-Nelson and Wolborska models. The experimental values obtained from column experiments agree fairly with the theoretical values obtained using different equations. The design parameters obtained from one column experiment have been used to design adsorption column for any other flow rate and feed concentration.