Design parameters for fixed bed column of biosorbent developed from Syagrus romanzoffiana for the removal of mono and multicomponent metallic ions

A biosorbent produced from Jerivá coconut (Syagrus romanzoffiana) was utilized for removal of Cd2+, Cu2+, Ni2+, and Zn2+ ions in both single and multi-component systems. Adsorption equilibrium batch tests indicated that the Langmuir model best represented the adsorption of both mono and multi-component metal ions, with the multi-component adsorption classified as antagonistic. Among the desorbing solvents tested, 0.1 M H₂SO₄ was the most effective, achieving recovery efficiencies of 98.2 % for Cu2+, 77.9 % for Zn2+, 69.9 % for Cd2+, and 29.4 % for Ni2+. Continuous system tests were performed with an initial concentration of 25 mg L−1 for each metal in the single-component setup and a total concentration of 100 mg L−1 in the multi-component mixture. To evaluate the biosorbent's efficiency in adsorbate recovery, 4 cycles of adsorption-desorption were conducted in a fixed-bed column, revealing a gradual decrease in desorption efficiency over successive cycles. The biosorbent desorbed all four metal ions within approximately 40 min. Cu2+ was the most desorbed ion (193.1 mg L−1), followed by Cd2+ (98.6 mg L−1), Zn2+ (66.2 mg L−1), and Ni2+ (51.7 mg L−1). The operational parameters of the fixed-bed column demonstrated good adsorption performance after column regeneration. •Multi-metal adsorption was antagonistic.•Cu2+ was the most adsorbed ion, followed by Cd2+, Zn2+, and Ni2+.•Metal ion capture depended on unpaired electrons and electronegativity.•M H2SO4 was effective in recovering of the adsorbent.•Stability was maintained after 3 cycles of adsorption-desorption.