Modeling of packed bed column studies for the removal of Cu(II) using polypyrrole alumina iron oxide nanocomposite

The performance of fixed-bed column with polypyrrole alumina iron oxide nanocomposite was studied under various conditions to investigate the effects of parameters such as bed height, flow rate and initial concentration in the removal of Cu2+ ions from aqueous media. The experimental studies reveal that the breakthrough time was increasing with an increase in bed height. Maximum removal with higher bed height is achieved due to the increase in the adsorption sites providing a larger surface area thereby leading to an increase in the volume of the treated solution. A higher flow rate produced a steeper curve with early breakthrough time and resulted in less adsorption intake. The adsorbent capacity was exhausted faster due to the saturation of binding sites in the case of higher flow rate and inlet concentration. Extended breakthrough time was obtained when inlet concentration was decreased, indicating that more amount of the solution could be treated. A decrease in the mass transfer coefficient was observed at lower concentration causing slower transport. Mathematical modeling of the adsorption column was studied with various models like Thomas model, Yoon-Nelson model and Adams-Bohart model to identify the best model and found Yoon-Nelson model fits well with the experimental data.