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Modeling, simulation, and experimental validation for continuous Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions using sawdust
1Chemical Engineering Department, Birla Institute of Technology and Science, Vidya Vihar Campus, Pilani 333031, Rajasthan, India. sureshg@bits-pilani.ac.in
Bioresource Technology
|July 4, 2009
Summary
Sawdust effectively removes chromium(VI) from water in continuous fixed-bed column experiments. A new mathematical model accurately describes the adsorption process, validating its performance for wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Science
- Chemical Engineering
- Materials Science
Background:
- Chromium(VI) is a toxic heavy metal pollutant in industrial wastewater.
- Effective and low-cost adsorbents are needed for chromium(VI) removal.
- Sawdust presents a viable, economical adsorbent material.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate sawdust as a low-cost adsorbent for Cr(VI) removal.
- To investigate the influence of operational parameters on adsorption performance.
- To develop and validate a mathematical model for the fixed-bed adsorption process.
Main Methods:
- Continuous fixed-bed adsorption experiments were conducted.
- Key parameters studied: flow rate, adsorbent mass, initial Cr(VI) concentration.
- Pore and solid diffusion models were employed to analyze intra-particle mechanisms.
Main Results:
- Sawdust demonstrated effective Cr(VI) removal from aqueous solutions.
- Breakthrough curves were obtained and analyzed for parameters like breakthrough time and removal efficiency.
- A proposed mathematical model, incorporating velocity variation, accurately predicted experimental data.
Conclusions:
- Sawdust is a promising low-cost adsorbent for Cr(VI) remediation.
- The developed mathematical model provides a good understanding of fixed-bed adsorption dynamics.
- The study validates the efficacy of sawdust for treating chromium-contaminated wastewater.
