Ni(II) removal from wastewater with natural zeolite and powdered activated carbon

In this experiment, it was targeted to examine the usability of natural zeolite (Bigadiç clinoptilolite) and powdered activated carbon (commercial) as adsorbent for the separate of Ni (II) heavy metal ions from wastewater using the adsorption process. In the adsorption processes of nickel in the aqueous medium; The effects of pH, primary concentration, quantity of adsorbent, mixing speed, mixing time and temperature were examined. Both adsorbents were featured with FTIR and XRD before and after the adsorption process. Various 3 isotherm types (Freundlich, Langmuir and Temkin) have been studied to explain the adsorption system with the data obtained from the experiments. It was obtained that the adsorption method was best suited to the Freundlich isotherm model for both adsorbents. Parameters of pseudo-first order, pseudo-second order and intraparticle diffusion rate models were calculated in order to evaluate the kinetic adsorption event. It was finalized that the pseudo-second order velocity model was the most suitable velocity model for both adsorbents in evaluating the adsorption kinetic data. Trials were achieved at 25 oC, 35 oC, 40 oC, 50 oC and 60 oC in order to evaluate the adsorption from the thermodynamically. It was determined that the investigated adsorption method is endothermic for natural zeolite and exothermic for powdered activated carbon. Finally, the activation energies were calculated and compared to determine the reaction rate. The results show that natural zeolite and powdered activated carbon can be used as efficient adsorbents in removing Ni (II) ion from aqueous solutions.