Modeling the kinetics of Cd(II) adsorption on Syzygium cumini L leaf powder in a fixed bed mini column

Syzygium cumini L leaf powder was used as a biosorbent for generating adsorption data in a fixed bed mini column. Effect of flow rate, initial Cd(II) concentration and bed height were the experimental parameters chosen to obtain breakthrough curves. The maximum uptake of Cd(II) in a fixed bed adsorption column was 29.08 mg g−1 at pH 5.5, initial Cd(II) concentration 100 mg L−1, bed height 5 cm and flow rate 40 mL min−1. Bohart–Adams, BDST, Thomas and Yoon–Nelson models were applied to the data for predicting breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters. Prominent and unique characteristics features of the respective models like service time (Hutchins BDST model), adsorption capacity (Thomas model) and time required for 50% breakthrough (Yoon–Nelson model) were determined. The utilization of column data in designing of a commercial column has been discussed. It was possible to desorb ∼98% of Cd(II) using 0.05 N HCl solution in column.