John Kabuba

Investigation of Cu (II) Removal from Synthetic Solution by Ion Exchange Using South African Clinoptilolite

The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of NaCl, KCl and acid (HCl), on South Africa clinoptilolite used as an adsorbent in the ion-exchange process for the removal of cations (Cu II) from wastewater. The kinetic parameters such as ∆H, ∆S and ∆G affecting the adsorption of Cu (II) ions were studied. The adsorption of Cu (II) from synthetic waste water was found to be dependent on pH, temperature, contact time and initial adsorbate concentration. The pH was varied from 2.5–6 and the optimum pH for Cu (II) removal was found to be 4.0. The removal of Cu (II) ions increased with time and attained saturation in about 60–70 min. The equilibrium data showed that the adsorption was endothermic in nature. Kinetics data showed that at higher temperatures, the rate of adsorption is higher for the clinoptilolite in natural zeolite and that Langmuir equation successfully described the adsorption process.