Statistical modelling of fixed-bed columns for heavy metal adsorption

ZARITZKY, NOEMI; FERRARI, MARIANO; DIMA JIMENA

Lima

Congreso; 14° CONGRESO INTERAMERICANO DE COMPUTACIÓN APLICADA A LA INDUSTRIA DE PROCESOS; 2019

Pontificia Universidad Católica del Perú

Continuous Fixed-Bed Column Adsorption for wastewater treatment provides the most practical application for the industry. The objective of this work was to develop a statistical model capable of simulating the dynamic behavior of the fixed-bed adsorption. The model was applied to describe adsorption mechanism of Cr(VI), one of the most toxic metals in water, onto chitosan flakes, obtained from the waste of crustacean industry. For the design of a column adsorption system, the basic information is the determination of the breakthrough curve and the breakthrough point time tb (Saturation time of the column). The experimental data were obtained using a glass column in which the chitosan particles were introduced. The continuous passage of Cr(VI) was carried out at different initial concentrations and bed heights. Then, the model projections were compared with experimental data in a Bayesian framework, programmed in software R. The proposed model represented a good description of the column adsorption. In all cases, the experimental tb was into or near to credibility interval. According to the model, setting initial concentration and flow velocity, the model parameters obtained can be used to scale up the breakthrough curve and the breakthrough time for different bed heights. Therefore, the model represents an option for the design of adsorption columns for wastewater treatment.