ADSORPTION STUDY ON THE REMOVAL OF CU (II) IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING MELON (CITRUS COCOLYNTHUS) HUSK AS A BIOSORBENT IN A FIXED BED COLUMN

Authors: *Yahya M.D, Suleiman B, Iyaka Y.A, Saliu H, Garba U

DOI Info: N/A

ABSTRACT

Adsorption potentials of melon husk for the removal of copper (II) ions from aqueous solution in a fixed bed column was investigated. Melon husk was prepared and characterized based on functional groups and morphology using Fourier Transform Infra Red (FTIR) spectrum and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) imaging respectively. Fixed bed column study was carried out as a function of simulated effluent flow rate (0.5-1.5 ml/min), initial Cu (II) concentration (5-20 mg/l) and bed height (6-12 cm). The dynamics of the bed was correlated using kinetics isotherms, Adams-Bohart, Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) and Yoon Nelson models. The SEM morphology indicated the adsorbent’s high surface roughness that is evenly dispersed before adsorption and lower adsorbent porosity after adsorption. FTIR spectrum of the adsorbent before and after adsorption showed peaks with slight shifts in the position of carboxylic (1682.92-1670.91 cm^-1) and amine (1615.86-1560.15 cm^-1) groups attributed to the attachment of Cu (II) ions via functional groups. The BDST model gave the best agreement between the experimental and the model prediction with R² = 0.991. High metal removal (87.5-100%) was achieved within the range of chosen variables. The column performance indicated the efficiency of melon husk as an adsorbent for Cu (II) which can be utilised in waste water treatment.

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