A kinetic investigation of removal of chromium from aqueous solutions with a strong cation exchange resin

A kinetic investigation was performed with an ion exchange resin for chromium. A strong cation exchange resin (Amberlite IR 120) was used for removal of chromium. The effects of concentration, resin amount, and stirring speed on kinetics were investigated. The metal concentration range studied was between 5 to 160 mg/dm3 (the amount of solution was 4 dm3), the resin amount range was between 5 to 20 mg, and the stirring speed range was between 1000 to 3500 rpm. Equilibrium experiments were performed for calculation of separation factor. Kinetic studies were done using a Kressman-Kitchener stirrer reactor system and the results were compared with existing kinetic models. Two models, Nernst-Plank film diffusion control model (fdc) and solid phase diffusion control model (pdc), respectively were identified, and the dependence of the rate on parameters such as solution concentration, resin amount, stirring speed, etc. was examined for each of them. The interpretation of these data shows that the system is probably controlled by both film and particle diffusion.