Using spent tea papers as low cost adsorbent to remove copper (II) from simulated wastewater; Kinetic and Equilibrium study

Abstract

copper ions removing from waste water was investigated. The sorption behavior of metal ions on spent tea papers, depending on contact time, pH, and initial metal concentration was studied in batch method. The adsorption process, which is PH dependent, shows maximum removal of copper ions at pH of 6; an initial copper ion concentration of 50-250 mg, dosage of 0.25 g, and the equilibrium was reached in 1 hr. The maximum efficiencies removed of Cu2+ (about 99.8%). The experimental data were analyzed using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Brauner, Emmett, and Teller (BET), isotherm models. The isotherm coefficients for all these models have been determined. Langmuir isotherm expressions were observed to give better fit to the experimental data compared to Freundlich and BET models. The kinetic data were assessed using Lagergren first order and pseudo second order kinetic models. Kinetic data correlated well with Lagergren first order kinetic model, showing that reversible reaction with an equilibrium being recognized between liquid and solid phase. The results indicate that spent tea papers can be used as an efficient adsorbent for removing copper ions from waste water.