Removal Efficiency, Metal Uptake, and Breakthrough Curve Model of Aqueous Lead Ions Removal Using Olive Stone Waste

Abstract

Abstract. Olive stone waste (OSW) is considered an organic contaminant produced by olive industries. Large amounts of these residues are generated in Mediterranean Sea countries one of them Jordan. Olive stone waste could be used as biosorbent. Lead ions are considered one of the most toxic heavy metals generated in different industries such as batteries and paint manufacturing. This work aims to use olive stone waste as a biosorbent to remove lead ions. Adsorptions parameters were studied in two parts: - The first part is batch studies; including effects of initial concentration, pH, adsorbent concentration, and contact time. The second part was a breakthrough curve study, which was done by using a fixed bed adsorption column. Results said that; the favorable pH for the highest removal efficiency was 6.8. The most promising removal efficiency reached 82.5% of the initial concentration of 9 mg/L at an adsorbent concentration of 1 g of adsorbent for every 0.25 liters of solution at 25±2 oC. The metal uptake was 1.9 mg of adsorbent/1 gram of adsorbate. The breakthrough study concluded that the highest removal efficiency of 90% of an initial concentration of lead ions 18 mg/L was achieved after 110 hours of operating time and 150 liters of solution treated.

Keywords: Lead ions, Olive stone waste, Adsorption, batch and Breakthrough curve studies