Dynamic adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by zeolite/cellulose acetate blend fiber in fixed-bed

A new composite adsorbent, zeolite/cellulose acetate blend (ZCAB) fiber, was prepared by wet spinning method. The scanning electron micrograph results showed that the zeolite particles were retained and wrapped in the networks of the ZCAB fiber. The adsorption of Cu(II) from aqueous solution by ZCAB fiber was studied in a packed bed. The effects of several parameters, such as the pH of solution, initial metal concentration, bed depth and flow rate, were investigated. The breakthrough data were well described by Thomas model, and the service time at different initial concentrations and flow rates was also predicted by the bed depth service time (BDST) model. The dynamic treatment of electroplating wastewater by the ZCAB fiber bed was also assessed, and the saturated column could be regenerated using HCl solution. About 2.1 L of electroplating wastewater could be treated in three cycles of adsorption, decreasing the concentrations of Cu(II) from 20 to 0.1 mg/L.