Multicomponent adsorption of heavy metals onto coconut shell char: kinetic and equilibrium study

Abstract

Coconut shell (CS) charcoal is a potential low-cost adsorbent. Ni(II) and Zn(II) ions in wastewater removal by adsorption is studied in the research using CS char. Results showed that, the maximum adsorption capacity for the Ni(II) ions system was 14.81% in solution of 50 mg/l. The adsorption data for single component systems fitted with Langmuir isotherm and followed pseudo-second order kinetic model. Increase in initial ion concentration reduces the percentage removal in both single component systems. In the multi-component system, the ion removal increases and then decreases. CS char is a somewhat good adsorbent as the removal efficiencies are close to 20%. Higher dosage should be used for better results. Key words: Adsorption, Coconut shell char, Multicomponent system.