Adsorption Separation of Nickel from Wastewater by using Olive Stones

Abstract

In this study, the adsorption potential of activated carbon olive stone for removal of Ni2+ ions from wastewater has been investigated. The study involves batch type experiments to investigate the effect of initial concentration, adsorbent dose, agitation speed, contact time, temperature and pH of solution on adsorption process. The optimum conditions were evaluated. The adsorption process has fit pseudo-second order kinetic models. Langmuir and Freundlich adsorption isotherm models were applied to analyze adsorption data and both were found to be applicable to this adsorption process. Thermodynamic parameters, e.g., ΔG°, ΔS° and ΔH° of the on-going adsorption process have also been calculated and the sorption process was found to be endothermic. Finally, it can be seen that the activated carbon olive stone was found to be more effective for the removal of Ni2+ from waste water than any other adsorbent.