Removal of zinc from water by adsorption on different adsorbent

Abstract EN

The aim of this work is to study zinc removal possibility by adsorption on an Algerian bentonite (bentonite of Maghnia), goethite, powdered activated carbon (PAC) and kaolin.

Various reaction parameter effects on process where tested.

Experiments were carried out with synthetic distilled water solutions.

Kinetic of adsorption results showed that after 20 minutes, zinc removal is maximal with 98.24 ℅ efficiency for bentonite.

Using Goethite, we obtained 18℅ efficiency after 30 minutes of equilibrium time.

After 3 hours of stirring, zinc removal by PAC was maximal with 27.54% efficiency and after 1 hour for kaolin with 45.48%.

Increasing in adsorbent dose (0.5 to 8 g/l) improves zinc removal efficiency for an initial 5mg/l concentration.

Zinc removal efficiency by any adsorbent decreases with the increase of initial zinc concentration (2 to 20 mg/l).

pH of treatment affects considerably zinc retention rate.

Zn removal efficiencies are noticeable at basic pH.

Order of efficiency of tested adsorbents for zinc removal in synthetic solution follows: bentonite > kaolin > PAC > Goethite.