Study of lead ion elimination from aqueous solution in a fixed-bed double column system using longan seed based activated carbon

Abstract

Longan seed based activated carbon has been used for the adsorption of lead ions from aqueous solution in a fixed-bed double column set up. The effects of initial concentration of lead ion (20, 30, 40, and 50 ppm) and initial solution pH (4, 7, and 9) were studied to determine the maximum uptake of lead ion at room temperature. It was observed that the adsorption of lead ions onto activated carbon depends on initial pH and initial concentration of lead ions. The optimal value of pH was established as 7. A breakthrough period of approximately 9 h was established for continuous adsorption of lead from a 40 ppm solution at pH 4. The lead ion concentrations in the effluents were below 0.05 ppm during the first 7 h of adsorption.

Keywords

• Fixed-bed column
• longan seed
• activated carbon
• lead ion adsorption
• water purification