Optimization of Parameters and Modelling for Breakthrough Curve for Chromium Removal in Fixed Bed

Abstract

Wastewater released from industrial activities is loaded with heavy metals such as nickel, arsenic, lead, zinc, copper, cadmium, chromium. The current investigation is conducted to remove the hexavalent chromium (Cr VI) from the simulated wastewater by adsorption process using activated carbon. Experimental studies were carried out in batch and continuous mode. For studying the fixed bed, namely bed height, concentration and flow rate at the inlet were varied. In batch studies, as the initial concentration of the sample, contact time of adsorption and adsorbent dosage for the given initial concentration increases, adsorption also increases. The optimal pH value is in the acidic range. Isotherms were plotted and studied to understand the adsorption. For fixed bed, increasing concentration decreases the breakthrough time. Experiments show that the time required for exhaustion reduces when there is increase in flow rate and concentration. Fixed bed adsorption results were fitted to the models like Yoon-Nelson and Thomas.