Modelling of copper and zinc adsorption onto zeolite

Abstract

Adsorption of Cu(II) and Zn(II) ions from metallurgical solutions has been studied and the adsorption capacity of zeolite (Nižný Hrabovec, SK) has been determined. Zeolites are characterized by relatively high sorption capacity, i.e. Cu(II) and Zn(II) can be removed even at relatively low concentrations. The experiments were realised in a batch system and evaluated using isotherms. According to the results of the experiments the adsorption equilibrium of Cu(II) and Zn(II) on zeolite was best described by Freundlich isotherm. The maximum sorption capacity was 1,48 and 1,49 mg/g for Cu(II) and Zn(II), respectively. The experimental results of this study demonstrate that zeolite is suitable for adsorption of copper and zinc from aqueous solutions at low concentrations.

Keywords

• copper
• zinc
• adsorption
• zeolite
• removal