BATCH ADSORPTION DYNAMICS AND EQUILIBRIUM STUDIES FOR THE REMOVAL OF CADMIUM (II) IONS FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING JACK FRUIT SEED AND COMMERCIAL ACTIVATED CARBONS – A COMPARATIVE STUDY

Studies on batch adsorption dynamics and equilibrium for the removal of cadmium (II) ions from aqueous solution using indigenously prepared jack fruit seed (JFSC) and commercial activated carbons (CAC) have been carried out with an aim to obtain data for treating effluents from metal processing and metal finishing industries. Effect of various process parameters has been investigated by following the batch adsorption technique at 30 +1°C. Percentage removal of cadmium (II) ions increased with the decrease in initial concentration and increased with increase in contact time and dose of adsorbent. Amount of cadmium (II) ions adsorbed increases with the decrease in particle size of JFSC. As initial pH of the slurry increased, the percentage removal increased, reached a maximum and the final solution pH after adsorption decreases. Adsorption data were modeled with the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms, the first order kinetic equations proposed by Natarajan -Khalaf, Lagergren and Bhattacharya and Venkobachar and intra- particle diffusion model and the models were found to be applicable. Kinetics of adsorption is observed to be first order with intra-particle diffusion as one of the rate determining steps. Removal of cadmium (II) ions by jack fruit seed carbon (JFSC) is found to be favourable and hence JFSC could be employed as an alternative adsorbent to commercial activated carbon (CAC) for effluent treatment, especially for the removal of cadmium (II) ions.