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Mercury (II) removal from water by coconut

shell based activated carbon: Batch and
column studies
a a a
Jyotsna Goel , K. Kadirvelu & C. Rajagopal
a
Centre for Environment and Explosive Safety (CEES) , Defence Research
and Development Organisation (DRDO) , Metcalfe House, Delhi, 110054,
India
Published online: 17 Dec 2008.

To cite this article: Jyotsna Goel , K. Kadirvelu & C. Rajagopal (2004) Mercury (II) removal from water by
coconut shell based activated carbon: Batch and column studies, Environmental Technology, 25:2, 141-153,
DOI: 10.1080/09593330409355447

To link to this article: http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/09593330409355447

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 Environmental Technology, Vol. 25. pp 141-153
© Selper Ltd, 2004

MERCURY (II) REMOVAL FROM WATER BY COCONUT

SHELL BASED ACTIVATED CARBON: BATCH AND
COLUMN STUDIES

JYOTSNA GOEL, K. KADIRVELU* AND C. RAJAGOPAL

Centre for Environment and Explosive Safety (CEES), Defence Research and Development Organisation (DRDO),
Metcalfe House, Delhi-110054, India

(Received 24 July 2003; Accepted 19 November 2003)

Downloaded by [University of North Dakota] at 11:08 21 December 2014

ABSTRACT

This study was undertaken to investigate adsorption behavior of Hg (II) from aqueous systems on activated carbon in static
and dynamic mode by varying initial Hg (II) concentration, adsorbent dose and pH. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption
isotherm were applied to model the adsorption data. Removal of mercury obeyed the Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption
isotherm models. The extent of removal of Hg (II) was found to be dependent on sorbent dose, pH and initial Hg (II)
concentration. Mercury uptake increased from 72 to 100 percent with increasing pH from 2 to 10. A set of desorption studies
was also performed for the metal ions with the aim of investigating the mechanism involved. Moreover, the competing
effects of various ions like Pb (II) and Cu (II) is also described. The column capacity for a column diameter of 20 mm, bed
height of 0.4 m, hydraulic loading rate of 7.5 m3h-1m-2 and a feed concentration of 3 mg I-1 were found to be 3.02 mg g-1.
Breakthrough curves were plotted for the adsorption of mercury on the adsorbent using continuous-flow column operation
by varying different operating parameters like hydraulic loading rate (3-10.5m3h-1m-2),bed height (0.3-0.5 m), and feed
concentrations (2-6 mg I-1). The aim was to assess the effect of bed height, hydraulic loading rate and initial feed
concentration on breakthrough time and adsorption capacity, which helped in ascertaining the practical applicability of the
adsorbent. At the end an attempt has been made to develop empirical relationship from the data generated from column
studies for designing the adsorption column, based on the Bohart -Adams model.

Keywords: Activated carbon, Hg (II), batch studies, adsorption isotherms, column studies, bohart -adams model

INTRODUCTION long period. Ingestion of other common forms of mercury,

The presence of heavy metals in the environment is of
major concern because of their toxicity and threat to human
life and environment. Mercury is a highly toxic element that is
found both naturally and as an introduced contaminant in the
environment. The major sources of mercury pollution in the
aquatic environment are industries such as chlor-alkali, paint,
pulp and paper, oil refining, electrical, rubber processing and
fertilizers [1]. According to the Bureau of Indian Standards
(BIS), the tolerance limit for Hg for discharge into inland
surface water is O.Olmg I"1 and for drinking water, O.OOlmg I"1
[2].
Severe mishaps like "Minamata tragedy" due to
mercury poisoning have increased the awareness about
mercury toxicity. The toxic effects of mercury depend on its
chemical form and the route of exposure. Methylmercury
[CH3Hg] is the most toxic form and it affects the immune
system, alters genetic and enzyme systems, and damages the
nervous system. Methylmercury is particularly damaging to
developing embryos. Elemental mercury causes tremors,
gingivitis, and excitability when vapors are inhaled over a
such as the salt HgCl2, damages the gastrointestinal tract and
causes kidney failure [3]. These toxic effects of mercury
necessitate its removal from wastewater before its transport
and cycling into the environment.
A number of technologies have been developed over
the years to remove toxic metal ions from water. Such
methods include chemical precipitation, electrodeposition,
ultra filtration, ion-exchange, activated carbon adsorption,
and biological process. Adsorption, compared to other
methods, appears to be a simple attractive process in view of
its high efficiency, easy handling and cost-effectiveness as
well as the availability of different adsorbents. In addition, the
recoveries of pure metal for recycle as well as reuse of the
adsorbent are the added advantages.
The search for an effective and economical removal of
Hg (II) from wastewater resulted in the use of non-
conventional adsorbents like fly ash [4], waste rubber [5],
polymerized onion skin [6], polymerized sawdust [7],
cellulose [8] and 'waste' Fe (III)/ Cr (III) hydroxide [9].
The majority of these (above reported) adsorption
studies were conducted in the batch mode. Although batch

141
 laboratory adsorption studies provide useful information on
the application of adsorption to the removal of specific waste
constituents, continuous column studies provide the most
practical application of this process in wastewater treatment.
The reason for this is that the high adsorption capacities in
equilibrium with the influent concentration rather than the
effluent concentration can be achieved [10]. Therefore, in
order to study the viability of the adsorbent, additional
information on its efficiency in the column mode has been
gathered.
METHOD AND MATERIALS
Adsorbent
[11]. Determination of C, H, N, S and O (by difference) was
performed with an Elementar Analyse Systeme (GmbH). The
surface area was determined using nitrogen gas at 77 K. The
surface functional groups on the adsorbent were measured by
using Boehm Method [12]. The surface morphology of
activated carbon and activated carbon loaded with metal ion
Hg (II) at pH 5.0 were visualized by using a scanning electron
microscope (SEM). The micrographs of SEM for the sample
were obtained with a JSM-840 Jeol microscope at 2500X
magnification. Energy dispersive analysis of X-ray (EDAX) of
the carbon sample loaded with metal ion was also carried out
using ISIS-200 energy dispersive spectrometer (EDS)
technique for qualitatively analysing the elemental
constitution of the sample.

Coconut shell based granulated activated carbon named Adsorbate

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ACG-50 was procured from Active Carbon Ltd., Hyderabad,

India and used throughout the study. The physico-chemical
characteristics of carbon are summarized in the Table 1. The
carbon was washed with distilled water to remove fines, oven
dried at 110°C for 6 h, and, then stored in moisture-free plastic
bottles for further use.
The adsorbent was characterized with the aim of
assessing its various physical and chemical properties, so that
a better interpretation of the mechanism involved during the
adsorption process can be provided. Carbon was analyzed for
various parameters like pH, conductivity, moisture content,
volatile matter and ash content by using standard methods
Stock solution of Hg (II) was prepared (1000 mg 1"1) by
dissolving 1.353 g of mercuric chloride (AR Grade) HgCl2, in
acidified double distilled water. The stock solution was
diluted with distilled water to obtain standard solution
containing 5 to 70 mg I 1 of Hg (II).
Analytical Method
Mercury concentration was analyzed using atomic
absorption spectrophotometer (AAS; model GBC 935) at 253.7

Tablel. Main characteristics of the adsorbent.

Parameters Value
Raw material Coconut Shell
Surface area, m2g-1 (Based on BET) 1000
Bulk density, g ml"1 0.5
Iodine number, mg g 1 950
CCL, adsorption, % 50.0
Hardness number, % 95.0
Ash content (on dry basis), % 3.59
Moisture content, % 5.0
pHzpc 5.3
Conductivity, \iS cm"1 94.0
Particle size 8 to 20 mesh
Elemental analysis, %
C 66.0
H 3.5
N 0.331
O 29.1
S 0.56
Acidic surface functional groups, meq g"1
Carboxylic 0.105
Phenolic 0.006
Lactonic 0.003
Carbonyl Nil

142
 Batch Mode Adsorption Studies
Stock solution of the adsorbate was diluted as required
to obtain standard solutions containing 5 to 70 mg I"1 of Hg
(II). 100 mg of adsorbent was added to 50 ml of Hg (II)
solution of a desired concentration at pH 5.0 in 125 ml reagent
bottles and was agitated at 120 rpm for 20 h at room
temperature (37±2°C) in a mechanical shaker. At the end of
agitation, suspensions were filtered and analysed by AAS.
The final (residual) metal concentrations Ce (mg I1) for
different metal systems in test solution were analyzed, leading
to the respective calculated values for adsorbent metal
uptakes or surface loading, q, (in mg of metal per g of carbon)
for in each Sorption system, calculated using the equation:
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q e =V(C;-C c )/W (i)
where Q is the initial metal concentration in solution of
volume V and W is the mass of adsorbent. Effect of carbon
dose on percent removal was studied using Hg (II)
concentration of 20 mg I1.
Desorption Studies
Desorption studies were carried out as follows: After
adsorption experiment with 20 mg I'1 Hg (II) metal ions, and
100 mg of GAC, the metal-loaded carbon, after agitating for 4
hrs at 120 rpm, was separated and gently washed with
distilled water to remove any unabsorbed metal ions. Several
numbers of such spent adsorbent samples were prepared for
mercury metal ion. The metal ion-loaded adsorbent samples
OT
CV
Ï NRV
ST
DT
Figure 1. Experimental set up for column studies.
143
were desorbed by agitating for 1 h with different strengths of
dilute HC1 (0.1-0.5N) solution
Effect of Competing Ions
In the batch process, 50 ml of solution, either single
metal as Hg (II) or a mixture of it with lead (II) and copper
(II), were transferred into 125 ml reagent bottles. The mixture
was prepared by solubilising a combination of either Pb+a -
Hg+2 or Hg*2-Cu*2 or Cu+2-Pb+2 -Hg*2 systems with each metal
in concentration range 5-70 mg I"1. All the experiments were
carried out at initial pH 5.0, adjusted using either HNO3 or
NaOH solutions, where the adsorption is significant but
below the pH, where metal hydroxide occurs. After that 100
mg adsorbent was added and bottles were agitated at 120 rpm
for 20 h at room temperature (37± 2°C) in a mechanical shaker.
At the end of agitation, suspensions were filtered and
analysed by AAS at the wavelengths corresponding to
different metal ions that is, at 324.2 and 217 nm for Cu (II) and
Pb (II) ions, respectively.
Dynamic Column Study Experimental Details
The experimental arrangement used for the dynamic
column studies was the same as used by Rajagopal and
Kapoor [13] in their study for adsorptive removal of explosive
contaminated wastewater using granulated activated
carbon. The experimental arrangement is shown in Figure 1
and it consists of a column of borosilicate glass of 20 mm
diameter. Sampling points before and after the column were
also provided for drawing the effluent samples at regular
intervals. Effluent after passing though the columns was
OT-Overhead Tank
ST- Storage Tank
CV- Control valve
F- Filter
R-Rotameter
C-Colnmn
V-Vent
FT-Flow transducer
DT-Draln tray
S- Sampling point
NRV-Non-return valve
F-Filter
Ï
Treated effluent to drain
 discharged into a sump below the column. Previously wetted
and degassed GAC is packed up to desired bed height (cm) in
a water-filled column of 20 mm (internal diameter) and was
kept submerged throughout the runs to avoid air entrapment
in the bed. Columns are mounted vertically and the GAC bed
is supported on perforated plate. The operation is in
downflow plug mode.
A control valve to regulate the flow and a rotameter to
monitor hydraulic loading rate is incorporated in the feed line
of the column. Effluent and influent samples are collected
after a regular interval. All the Sorption experiments were
carried out at the room temperature of 37± 2°C and initial pH
of 5.0. The breakthrough time (tb) for each of the columns
operation was defined as the time when the effluent
concentration (Ce) of Hg (II) reached 50% of the feed
concentration (C(). The residual concentration of mercury in
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QpbCe
(ii)
'1+bC,
where Ce is the equilibrium concentration (mg I'1), qe is the
amount of mercury adsorbed at equilibrium (mg g"1) and Qo
(mg g"1) and b (1 mg"1) are Langmuir constants related to
adsorption capacity and energy of adsorption respectively.
The linear plot of C e /q e vs. Ce shows that adsorption
obeys Langmuir isotherm model with correlation coefficient
of 0.9635. The values of Qo and b were found to be 15.19 mg
g "' and 0.214 1 min"1 respectively, which are calculated from
the slope and intercept of the Langmuir plot. Values of
adsorption capacity Q o (mg g"1) of the other adsorbent are
given in Table 2 for comparison.

The essential characteristics of a Langmuir isotherm can

aqueous sample was determined as before. All the chemicals
used were of analytical reagent grade.
RESULTS AND DISCUSSION
Mercury (II) Adsorption Isotherms
Langmuir isotherm was applied for adsorption
equilibrium data. The Langmuir isotherm is based on the
following assumptions:
a. Metal ions are chemically adsorbed at a fixed number of
well-defined sites.
b. Each site can hold only one ion.
c. All sites are energetically equivalent; and
d. There is no interaction between adsorbed ions.
When the initial metal ion concentration increases, adsorption
increases whilst the binding sites are not saturated. The
linearised isotherm allows the calculation of adsorption
capacities and the Langmuir constants and is given by the
following equation [14]:
be expressed in terms of dimensionless constant called
equilibrium parameters, RL, which is defined by RL=
l/(l+bC 0 ), where b is the Langmuir constant (1 min"1), and Q
is the initial mercury concentration (mg I"1) [1].
R L values varied from 0.48 to 0.062 for metal
concentration range of 5 to 70 mg I"1' Thus, the parameter
value lies between 0 and 1, indicating favorable adsorption of
mercury onto the adsorbent.
Freundlich isotherm is also used to explain observed
phenomenon [15]. Freundlich equation is used for
heterogeneous surface energy term. The Freundlich equation
is widely used in the environmental engineering practice to
model adsorption of pollutants from an aqueous medium
empirically. The linearized Freundlich model isotherm is
represented by the equation:
ln(X/m)=lnKf + l/n(lnCe) (iii)
where Ce is the equilibrium concentration (in mg 1"1),
X is the amount of mercury removed (mg), m is weight of

Table 2. Comparison of adsorption capacity of Hg (II) with other adsorbent.

Adsorbent Qo(mg g"1) Reference

Coconut shell based activated carbon 15.2 This work
Polymerized sawdust 148.0 7
Photo film industrial waste 11.8 24
Used tyre rubber 14.7 25
Ozonized activated carbon 38.6 27
Polymerized onion skin 7.1 6
Bicarbonate treated pea nut hull carbon 109.7 26
Activated carbon from coir pith 154.0 1
Sulphurised activated carbon from bagasse pith 188.7 19
Fe(in)/Cr (III) hydroxide 37.3 9
Polyethyleneimine Cellulose 288.0 8
Fly ash 0.73 4

144
 adsorbent used (g) and K, and n are constants incorporating
all factors affecting the adsorption capacity and an indication
of the favourability of Hg (II) adsorption onto carbon,
respectively.
Linear plots of ln(X/m) vs In Ce show that the
adsorption follows Freundlich isotherm model as well as
indicating average energy of adsorption with increasing
adsorption density. K( and n values were calculated from the
intercept and slope of the linear plot, and were found to be 4.7
and 3.3 respectively. Similar results have been observed in the
adsorption of Hg (II) on sago waste carbon [16], where Kf and
n values were found to be 3.58 and 2.0, respectively. The
correlation coefficient for the linear plot was found to be 0.986
for Hg (II) adsorption by carbon.
According to Treybal, it has been shown using
mathematical calculations that n value (=3.82) lies between 1
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and 10 for Hg (II) adsorption onto activated carbon which
represent beneficial adsorption [17].
Results from Desorption Studies
Desorption studies help elucidate the nature of
adsorption and help in the recovery of precious metals from
wastewater and adsorbent. An attempt has been made to
desorb metal ions from metal-loaded carbon using various
ionic strengths of HC1 (0.1 to 0.5 M). The maximum
desorption was found to be 5.0 percent for Hg (II) for 0.5 M
HC1. The very low desorption shows that ion exchange is not
the mechanism involved in the adsorption process. It also
indicates the absence of weak bond of attachment between
metal ions and adsorbent that is, physisorption. Other
mechanisms, namely based on chemisorption, surface
120
100
g 80
1 60-J
ce
;£ 40
20
0 • * -
4 6
Initial pH
Figure 2. Influence of solution pH on Hg (II) adsorption.
145
complications and chelation might be responsible for
adsorption of metal ions on the carbon. This result is in
accordance with metal ion desorption by other adsorbent
[1,18,19].
Scanning Electron Micrography
Scanning electron micrograph (SEM) and energy
dispersive spectrum of X-ray were carried out for the
adsorbent before and after equilibration. SEM of activated
carbon surfaces before and after the adsorbent was
equilibrated with the metal ion solution clearly shows the
presence of Hg (II) ions. The micrographs illustrated in Figure
6(b) display a large amount of white spots or points due to
sorption of Hg (II) ion, which are absent from the original
activated carbon before loading metal ions shown in Figure
6(a). Hence, the deposition of heavy metal ions on the surface
of the carbon particle cannot be ruled out. EDAX spectrum for
both raw and loaded adsorbent is illustrated in Figure 7 (a)
and Figure 7(b). The samples equilibrated with metal ion
solutions showed a distinct peak for mercury. This was due to
the fact that mercury ion was chemisorbed on the surface of
carbon. ED AX analysis therefore provides direct evidence for
specific adsorption of Hg (II) ions on the surface of activated
carbon.
pH Effect on Adsorption
The effect of pH on mercury uptake by carbon was also
studied. Experiments were carried out at initial pH 2 to 10
at the same initial metal ion concentration, that is, 20 mg 11.
The results are shown in Figure 2. The removal in mg g 1 was
10
 increased very significantly from 72 to 93 percent by
increasing initial solution pH from 2 to 10. It is well known
that the desorption of metal ions strongly depends on the
chemistry of carbon surface and species distribution of metal
ions [20]. The surface charge is positively charged at low pH
values leading to lower removal of positively charged metal
cation. On the other hand, as solution pH values increases, the
carbon surface becomes more and more negative due to
dissociation of weakly acidic oxygen containing surface
functional groups. Thus, the adsorbent surface is also able to
attract and complex and /or exchange cations in solution. This
renders the carbon and makes it capable of adsorbing metal
ions from aqueous solution at pH values in excess of about
3.00.
Kadirvelu et al. [20] has reported the formation of the
following surface complexes when, Hg (II) is present in the
Downloaded by [University of North Dakota] at 11:08 21 December 2014
solution with the functional groups present on the carbon:
2(CXOH+) + Hg2* - (Cx O)2 + 2H* (iv)
According to the surface complexation theory, Hg (II)
removal as pH function increases can be explained on the
basis of a decrease in adsorption competition between proton
and metal ion species for the adsorbent surface sites by the
0
10 20 30
Figure 3. Equilibrium curve for Hg (II) ion in binary and tertiary system with Cu (II) and Pb (II) ions.
146
decrease in positive surface charge (point zero of net proton
charge equal to 5.3) which results in a lesser columbic
repulsion forward the Hg (II) ion [1,8,16,18].
Competing Effect of Ions
The purpose of these experiments has been to
investigate the adsorption characteristics of mercury in
competitive adsorption environment posed by Cu and Pb
onto coconut shell based activated carbon in single, binary
and tertiary systems. Figure 3 represents the equilibrium
adsorption curves for Hg (II) in binary and tertiary system
composed of Cu (II) and Pb (II) in order to demonstrate the
change in performance of the adsorbent with respect to
mercury in different multi-metal systems. Adsorption values
for Cu (II) and Pb (II) in mono-component solution on the
same adsorbent was found to be 13.49 and 20.8 mg g"1
respectively. Langmuir equation was also applied with
respective mercury isotherms in presence of Lead and Copper
for a binary and tertiary system. Qo maximum adsorption
capacity of Hg (II) was found to 9.88, 9.66 and 2.19 mg g"1 for
binary systems [Hg (II)+ Pb (II) and Hg (II) +Cu (II)] and
tertiary system [Hg (II)+Pb (II)+Cu (II)] respectively. It can be
easily seen that mercury sorption is suppressed from 15.19 mg
g'by the presence of other metal ions in aqueous solution.
OHg(II)
DHg(II)+Cu(II)
AHg(II)+Pb(II)
40 50 60 70
 Adsorption Dynamic Column Studies
Column adsorption capacity
The approach of Treybal has been adopted for
calculating the column capacity for the removal of Hg
(II). Breakthrough curve [Figure 4(a)] was plotted - giving
ratio of effluent and feed (influent) concentrations (Ce/ C(),
and time (h) for a single column of 0.4 m bed height
(containing 57 g of adsorbent) and at a constant hydraulic
loading rate of 7.5m3h'1nr2.
Breakthrough capacity, Q expressed in mg of mercury
adsorbed per gm of adsorbent was calculated using equation
(vi). Table 3 presents the column adsorption capacity for
mercury onto the adsorbent for varying operating variables,
that is bed height, flow rate and feed concentration. The
column capacity for Hg (II) adsorption for the bed height of
0.4 m, hydraulic loading rate of 7.5 m3h-1nY2 and the feed
concentration of 3 mg I1 was found to be 3.02 mg g"1.
Effect of Hydraulic Loading Rate

The experiments were conducted at bed height of 0.4 m,

Breakthrough Capacity Metal adsorbed on Adsorbent Bed (mg)
Mass of Adsorbent in Bed (g)
(v)
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at constant feed concentration of 3 mgl'1, with hydraulic
loading rate ranging from 3 to 10.5 m3 h-1m"2.
Results of the experiments on effect of hydraulic
loading rate (HLR) are plotted in Figure 4(b), which shows

that breakthrough time decreases from 32 h to 15 h, as HLR

Breakthrough time x Flowrate x Feed Concentration increases from 3.0 to 10.5 m3 h^m2. The adsorption capacity,
(vi)
Mass of Adsorbent in Bed

(a)

40

Figure 4a. Effect of feed concentration on breakthrough time at constant bed height of 0.4 m and hydraulic loading rate of
7.5m3h-Im-2

(b)

3.0 HiVm"2
4.5 m3frW2
7.5 mVm' 2
10.5mVm-2

10 15 20 25 30 35
Tlme(h)

Figure 4b. Effect of hydraulic loading rate on breakthrough time at constant bed height of 0.4m and feed concentration of
3 mgl-1.

147
 (c)

0.35 0.4 0.45 0.5 0.55

Bed Helght(m)
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Figure 4c. Effect of bed height on minimum achievable effluent concentration.

Table 3. Column adsorption capacity, Q at various operating conditions.

Concentration Breakthrough HLR Bed height Adsorption column capacity

(mgl-1). time (h) (m 3 h^irf 2 ) (m) ( m g j»"1)
2 29 7.5 0.4 2.54
3 23 7.5 0.4 3.02
4 17 7.5 0.4 2.89
6 9 7.5 0.4 2.36
3 32 3 0.4 1.68
3 27 4.5 0.4 2.13
3 15 10.5 0.4 2.76
3 10.5 7.5 0.3 1.67
3 25.5 7.5 0.5 2.85

30

£ 25
o
1 20
3 15 y = 0.0525x +0.1667
o
R 2 = 0.9162
I io
Œ
CO 5

200 300 400 500 600

Bed height(mm)
Figure 5. Bohart-Adams plot for prediction of constants.

148
Downloaded by [University of North Dakota] at 11:08 21 December 2014

Figure 6a. Scanning electron micrograph of coconut shell based activated carbon.

Figure 6b. Scanning electron micrograph of coconut shell based activated carbon loaded with mercury ion.

149
 (a)

Count

3000.

2000.
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1000

Au

10 Energy(Ke¥)
Figure 7(a). EDAX spectrum for unloaded activated carbon.

(b)

Counts

10000-

5000.

10 Energy (KeV)
Figure 7b. EDAX spectrum for mercury-loaded adsorbent.

150
 calculated using equation (vi), accordingly shows a maximum therefore, the rate of the sorption reaction is proportional to
for 7.5 m3 lv'nV2 as shown in Figure 4(b). The variation in the the fraction of sorption capacity still remaining on the media.
slope of the breakthrough curve and adsorption capacity may According to the Bohart -Adams model, the equation to
be explained on the basis of mass transfer fundamentals. predict the performance of continuous adsorption columns is:
Increase in the hydraulic-loading rate causes increase in zone
speed, resulting in decrease in the time required to achieve
breakthrough [21]. (iii)
Cov
Effect of Bed Height
where,
Break through experiments were conducted at bed
heights of 0.3,0.4 and 0.5 m at a constant feed concentration of t = time to break point
3 mgl'1 and at the hydraulic loading rate of 7.5 m3 h"'m"2 Co = influent concentration (mg I"1)
optimized above (as showing the maximum adsorption Cb = concentration at break through (mg I 1 )
capacity). Figure 4(c) presents the effect of Bed height on No = adsorptive capacity of the adsorbent (mg adsorbed
minimum effluent concentration, which is defined as the per litre of solution)
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average concentration of the metal ion at the column outlet (or X = bed depth of column bed (m)
effluent) in initial constant phase. Experiments on effect of v = linear flow rate(m h' 1 )
bed height showed an exponential decrease in minimum
effluent concentration with bed height keeping other K = rate constant (1 mg-h 1 )
parameters constant. The minimum effluent concentration
decreases rapidly from 0.307 mgl1 for a bed height of 0.3 m to A simplified form of the Bohart-Adams Model is:
0.107 mgl"1 for 0.5m bed height. As the bed height increases,
the length of the bed through which the effluent passes t = aX + b (iv)
increases. The increase in the total adsorptive capacity of the
bed results in a decrease in the solute concentration in the where,
effluent. Beyond a bed height of 0.4 m, the curve shows no a= - (v)
appreciable change in minimum effluent concentration with CNo
OV

further increase in bed height.

and b in equation (iv) is given by
Effect of Feed Concentration

The change of the initial metal ion concentration has a
significant effect on breakthrough curve as illustrated in
Figure 4(a). The larger the initial feed concentration, the
steeper is the slope of the breakthrough curve and smaller is
the breakthrough time. These results demonstrate that the
change of concentration gradient affects the saturation rate
and breakthrough time, or in other words, the diffusion
process is concentration dependent. As the feed concentration
increases, metal loading rate increases, but so does the driving
force for mass transfer. The increase in mass transfer driving
force is overborne by the increase in adsorption zone length,
which results in breaking out of adsorption zone length faster
from the adsorbent bed and hence lower breakthrough period
[28].
As presented in Table 3, the adsorption capacity
decreases beyond 3 mg I 1 of feed concentration. This is due to
the reduction in driving force for mass transfer because of the
predominance of particle phase resistances.
Application of Bohrat-Adams model
Bohart -Adams model is based on the surface reaction
theory [22,23]. The assumption behind the Bohart and Adams
equation is that equilibrium is not instantaneous and
-ln[C0/Cb-l]xl/[CoK (vi)
These parameters can be evaluated from the linearized
plot of time to break point versus bed height for a constant
flow rate. The time to reach the b r e a k p o i n t for bed of
different depths is plotted and presented in figure 5. The flow
rate was maintained at 7.5 nAn"2!!"1 for three different bed
heights that is, 0.3, 0.4 a n d 0.5 m w i t h the influent
concentration of 3.0 m g I 1 . The time at b r e a k t h r o u g h was
found to be the linear function of b e d d e p t h at constant flow
rate and feed concentration respectively. It can be observed
from the plot that the linearity is maintained between the bed
depth and the time. The plot gives the slope value equal to
0.0525 and an intercept of 0.1667 with a correlation coefficient
of 0.9162. The values of constant obtained from the plot can be
extrapolated for other influent concentrations a n d hydraulic
loading rate.
CONCLUSION
The objective of this work was to study the dependence
of a d s o r p t i o n on a d s o r b e n t a n d a d s o r b a t e (Hg (II))
characteristics by both batch and column studies. Conclusions
from experimental studies are:

151
 1. The adsorption capacity (QJ from the Langmuir was
determined to be 15.20 mg g"1 at pH 5.0 in room
temperature (37±2°C ) for 8 to 20 mesh activated carbon
obtained from coconut shell.
2. Batch mode adsorption studies followed both Langmuir
and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models.
3. Adsorption of Hg (II) was affected in the presence of
other cations in the solution.
4. Increasing initial solution pH from 2 to 10, the carbon
surface becomes progressively negative and therefore
positively charged metal cation species can complex and
/or ion exchange with the surface functional groups.
5. Adsorption capacity for 3 mg I'1 feed concentration
of Hg (II) at hydraulic loading rate of 7.5 m'h'^n'2 and
0.4 m bed height is found to be 3.02 mg g'1, which
indicates that practically adsorption capacity of
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systems while that concentration is continuously
increasing in the column system.
6. Adsorption of Hg (II) on to activated carbon depends
on solution pH, carbon concentration, metal ion
concentration, hydraulic loading rate, feed
concentration and bed height.
7. The constants evaluated from the Bohart- Adams model
can be employed for the design of adsorption columns
over a range of feasible flow rates and concentrations.
8. Activated carbon obtained from coconut shell was
found to be capable of removing Hg (II) effectively from
Hg (II) aqueous solution by both batch and column
studies.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

activated carbon is far less than batch mode results. This
may be due to the potential irreversibility of the
sorption process and the different approaches to
adsorption equilibrium in different systems, i.e. the
solution - phase concentration is continuously
decreasing in the adsorption isotherm and in the batch
The authors would like to thank Sh.A.K.Kapoor
Director, Centre for Environment and Explosive Safety
(CEES) for providing all facilities and encouragement to carry
out this work. Thanks are also due to Sh.Satish Kumar of
CEES, for carrying out analysis of the samples by Atomic
Absorption spectrophotometer.

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