Application of linear regression analysis for iron and copper removal process using natural zeolites

Natural zeolites (zeolitic volcanic tuffs) cropped out from three regions of Transilvania, Vultureni (V), Pâglişa (P) and Măcicaş (M), were evaluated in the process of iron (V, P, M) and copper (M) removal from wastewaters. Iron and copper removal process was studied using a fixed bed column, when equilibrium and kinetic data were acquired. Four isotherms, Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir–Freundlich and Redlich–Peterson, were used to fit the experimental data obtained for each natural zeolite sample. Parameters of the adsorption isotherms were estimated from the experimental equilibrium data using MATLAB. Using these data the best fit with one of the chosen isotherm can be found. Isotherm constants were determined by linear regression analysis of the experimental data. We concluded that the mathematical model based on Freundlich isotherm is the most appropriate to describe the iron and copper exchange on our natural zeolite samples.