title: Modeling of copper fixed-bed biosorption from wastewater by Posidonia oceanica.
abstract: Biosorption of copper from aqueous solutions by Posidonia oceanica was investigated in batch and fixed-bed experiments. Batch experiments were conducted to evaluate the removal equilibrium at pH 5.0 and 6.0; experimental data were fitted to Langmuir model with maximum uptake capacities of 56.92 and 85.78 mg g(-1), respectively. Five column experiments were carried out at different feed concentrations. Breakthrough times and continuous sorption isotherm were obtained from breakthrough curves. Differences among batch and continuous isotherms were observed; the maximum uptake capacity in dynamic conditions was found in 56.70 mg g(-1) for final pH between 5.0 and 5.5. The biosorbent was regenerated with HCl. Hydrodynamic axial dispersion was estimated by tracing experiments at different velocities using LiCl as tracer. A mass transport model including convection-dispersion and sorption processes was successfully applied to breakthrough curve modeling. Results indicate that P. oceanica can be used as an effective biosorbent for copper removal.
authors.affiliation: Departamento de Ingeniería Química, Escuela Técnica Superior de Ingeniería, Universitat de València, Dr. Moliner, 50, 46100 Burjassot, Valencia, Spain.
authors.forename: Marta
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Izquierdo
authors.forename: Carmen
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gabaldón
authors.forename: Paula
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Marzal
authors.forename: Francisco Javier
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Alvarez-Hornos
mesh_terms: D035961:Alismatales / Q000378:metabolism*; D003300:Copper / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*; D008962:Models, Theoretical; D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical / Q000302:isolation & purification / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D014874:Water Pollutants, Chemical; D003300:Copper