Comparison of kinetic models for predicting phosphate adsorption onto spent alum sludge in a continuous fixed-bed column

Yao Sen Chena, Wei Chin Changb*, Shun Hsing Chuangc, Shih Min Chiangd

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalJournal Article peer-review

10 Scopus citations

Abstract

This study attempted to examine the effectiveness of fixed bed adsorption for phosphate removal by spent alum sludge. Experiments with different bed depths were conducted to evaluate their effects on the column performance, where different breakthrough curves were obtained and thereby compared by kinetic models. Experimental data confirmed that expanding bed height could apparently increase the equilibrium phosphate uptake and hence lengthen both the breakthrough time and exhausting time. Spent alum sludge was concluded in this study to be successfully employed in fixed bed column for removing phosphate from aqueous solution. Furthermore, five kinetic models (Adams-Bohart, Thomas, Clark, Yoon-Nelson and bed-depth/service time analysis (BDST) models) were applied to experimental data to predict the breakthrough behavior and to determine the characteristic parameters of the column that are valuable for process design. Result indicated that both Thomas and Yoon-Nelson models described appropriately the whole breakthrough curves; whereas, BDST and Adams-Bohart models were merely suitable for fitting the initial stage of the same curves. Clark model, nevertheless, could not fit well with the experimental data.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)138-144
Number of pages7
JournalDesalination and Water Treatment
Volume32
Issue number1-3
DOIs
StatePublished - 08 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Alum sludge
  • Breakthrough curve
  • Fixed-bed column
  • Kinetic model
  • Phosphate adsorption

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Comparison of kinetic models for predicting phosphate adsorption onto spent alum sludge in a continuous fixed-bed column'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this