Adsorption of copper and zinc from sulfate media on a commercial sorbent

This work investigates the adsorption conditions of Copper (Cu) and Zinc (Zn) ions from sulfate media by a commercial sorbent, Lewatit TP-207 (L-207). Batch studies are carried out and the key processing parameters (sorbent quantity, contact time, temperature and acidity etc.) were studied. The adsorption isotherms of the metals were obtained and compared for different isotherm models. Furthermore, the adsorption equilibrium data were best fitted to the Langmuir isotherm model. The reaction was found spontaneous and endothermic with thermodynamic values. The best adsorption capacities were 68.5 and 73.0 mg/g for Cu and Zn, respectively. Moreover, industrial wastewater solution experiments were carried out. The L-207 can be used for adsorption of Cu and Zn ions in industrial effluents and real samples.