Removal of heavy metals from industrial waste solutions by a rotating fixed bed of ion exchange resin

The rate of removal of copper ion (Cu2+) from industrial waste solution was studied using a rotating fixed bed of cation exchange resin. Variables studied were initial concentration of Cu2+, pH value, rotational speed, and ratio of mass of resin to the liquid volume (S/l). Best removal capacity was obtained in the pH range (4–5). The experimental results revealed that the rate of removal of Cu2+- decreases as the initial concentration of Cu2+ increases, while the rate increases with increasing pH value, contact time, rotational speed, and the mass of resin per unit volume of solution. The results were treated mathematically by using the method of dimensional analysis and mass transfer correlation was obtained. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were examined where Langmuir adsorption isotherm gives a better data fitting than Freundlich isotherm