Metal ion sorption dynamics in a foamed chitosan structure

AbstractIndustrial processes are responsible for heavy metal releases into the environment. Removal of excessive heavy metals has become a major concern, therefore, new economical and efficient methods of water treatment are now being explored. The experiments described in this paper relate to the removal of heavy metal cations from water. The adsorption process was carried out in a packed column containing foamed chitosan. Initially, a method of production of the foamed structure was developed. Subsequently, the foamed structure was properly prepared for testing. The adsorption process was continuous with constant ion concentration at the column inlet. Parameters such as sorption capacity of the chitosan bed, as well as influence of the initial ion concentration and feed flow rate were investigated. The Bohart–Adams model was used to describe the sorption dynamics.