Removal of zinc ions from aqueous solution using a cation exchange resin

► The reactor used in the study was a rotating cylinder packed with cation exchange resin. ► The experimental data were analyzed using different isotherms. ► The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir isotherm. ► The experimental data were analyzed using four sorption kinetic models. ► Results show that the Elovich equation provides the best correlation for the biosorption process. The present study is concerned with the mass transfer and kinetics study of zinc ions removal from aqueous solution using a cation exchange resin packed in a rotating cylindrical basket reactor. The effect of various experimental parameters on the rate of zinc ion removal, such as initial zinc ion concentration, packed bed rotation speed and temperature has been investigated. In addition to find a suitable equilibrium isotherm and kinetic model for the zinc ion removal in a batch reactor. The experimental isotherm data were analyzed using the Langmuir, Freundlich and D–R equations. The equilibrium data fit well in the Langmuir isotherm. The experimental data were analyzed using four sorption kinetic models, pseudo-first and second-order equations, the Elovich and the intraparticle diffusion model equation, to determine the best fit equation for the biosorption of zinc ions onto purolite C-100 MH resin. Results show that the Elovich equation provides the best correlation for the biosorption process.