A batch reactor mass transfer kinetic model for immobilized biomass biosorption

Area of Science:

• Biotechnology and Environmental Science
• Materials Science

Background:

• Development of novel biosorbents for heavy metal remediation is crucial.
• Rhizopus arrhizus offers potential as a biological adsorbent.
• Immobilization techniques enhance biosorbent properties and reusability.

Purpose of the Study:

• To immobilize inactive Rhizopus arrhizus cells into porous particles for uranium adsorption.
• To model and understand the uranium adsorptive behavior of these novel biosorbent particles.
• To gain insights into the functional mechanisms of biosorbents during uranium removal.

Main Methods:

• Proprietary immobilization technique to create porous biomass particles.
• Batch reactor experiments to study uranium biosorption.
• Application of a mass transfer kinetic model to predict adsorption behavior.

Main Results:

• Successfully developed porous biosorbent particles from immobilized Rhizopus arrhizus.
• The biosorbent particles demonstrated effective uranium adsorption.
• The mass transfer kinetic model accurately predicted uranium concentration profiles in batch reactors.

Conclusions:

• Immobilized Rhizopus arrhizus particles represent a new generation of effective biological adsorbents for uranium.
• The developed kinetic model provides significant insights into biosorption mechanisms.
• This approach offers a promising method for uranium remediation from aqueous solutions.