Removal Continuous Studies of Chromium (VI) Using Sugar Cane Bagasse

Abstract

In this work was studied the behavior of biosorption process of chromium from aqueous solutions onto modified sugar cane bagasse packed bed columns. The performance of packed beds is described through the concept of the breakthrough curve. The time for breakthrough appearance and the shape of the breakthrough curve are very important characteristics for determining the operation and the dynamic response of a biosorption column. Four mathematical models; Adams–Bohart, Thomas, Dose-answers and Yoon–Nelson models were applied to experimental data to predict the breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column useful for process design. The experimental data show the breakthrough increased meanwhile the feed flow decreased and the packed bed lengths. The breakthrough curve study show the Adams–Bohart model could be used for the description of the initial part of the breakthrough curve. The dose-answers models reproduced the entire breakthrough curve.