Optimization Studies on Biosorption of Ni(ii) and Cd(ii) from Wastewater in a Packed Bed Bioreactor

Abstract

This chapter refers to the study of the biosorption of Ni(II) and Cd(II) in packed bed bioreactor by Pseudomonas putida. The conventional treatment methods of Nickel and Cadmium were elaborated and compared with biosorption. The methods for optimization of process conditions for biosorption of Ni(II) and Cd(II) in packed bed bioreactor by Pseudomonas putida were explained. The optimum conditioned were determined to be flow rate of 300 mL/h, initial metal ion concentration of 100 mg/L and bed height of 20 cm with weight of biosorbent of 12 g, and it was found that the Agar immobilized Pseudomonas putida showed maximum percent biosorption and bed saturation occurred at 20 minutes. Optimization results of Ni(II) and Cd(II) by Pseudomonas putida from the Design Expert software were obtained as bed height of 19.93 cm, initial metal ion concentration of 103.85 mg/L, and flow rate of 310.57 mL/h. The percent biosorption of Ni(II) and Cd(II) is 87.2% and 88.2% respectively. The predicted optimized parameters are in agreement with the experimental results. Experiments were carried out at established optimum conditions of bed height of 20.77 cm, flow rate of 309.09 mL/h, and initial metal ion concentration of 109.23 mg/L and results of biosorption of Ni(II) and Cd(II) were reproduced and they were in agreement with the predicted results. Based the experimental results, it was observed that the Pseudomonas putida was the best choice to remove Nickel and Cadmium ions from wastewater in a continuous column system.