SORPTION OF COPPER (II) AND NONIONIC SURFACTANT BY ION EXCHANGERS AND ACTIVATED CARBON

Abstract

Ion exchange resins, which are widely used for the removal of copper (II) ions from effluents, can also sorb nonionic surfactants entering into the wastewater with copper (II) ions simultaneously after various industrial processes. The study of equilibrium sorption of copper (II) and nonionic surfactant Lutensol AO‐10 under laboratory conditions by different types of ion exchangers and activated carbon has shown that the Purolite S950 chelating ion exchanger has the highest sorption capacity for copper (II) ions. Ion exchangers with carboxylic functional groups demonstrate the highest affinity for nonionic surfactant. Purolite C107E weak acid cation exchanger could be suitable for the cosorption of copper (II) ions and nonionic surfactant Lutensol AO‐10. Kinetic study of this ion exchange resin leads to a conclusion that the sorption of copper (II) ions was a fast process, and after 30 min the equilibrium was attained. When the concentration of copper (II) solution decreases, difference between the sorption capacity of various ion exchangers decrease. The influence of nonionic surfactant on the sorption of copper (II) is insignificant.