Fixed-bed column study on removal of Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) from aqueous solution by surfactant bilayer supported alumina

In the present work, the potential of modified alumina for the removal of heavy metals such as Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) was evaluated in a fixed-bed column operation. The effects of bed depth, flow rate and initial concentration on the removal of Mn(II), Ni(II) and Cu(II) were investigated at the optimum pH. The modified alumina was found to be very efficient for the removal of such heavy metals from water environment. Bed depth service time (BDST) model was best fitted to adsorption data. The theoretical and experimental breakthrough curves were comparable for all heavy metals.