Application of a breakthrough biosorbent for removing heavy metals from synthetic and real wastewaters in a lab-scale continuous fixed-bed column

A continuous fixed-bed study was carried out utilising a breakthrough biosorbent, specifically multi-metal binding biosorbent (MMBB) for removing cadmium, copper, lead and zinc. The effect of operating conditions, i.e. influent flow rate, metal concentration and bed depth was investigated at pH 5.5 ± 0.1 for a synthetic wastewater sample. Results confirmed that the total amount of metal adsorption declined with increasing influent flow rate and also rose when each metal concentration also increased. The maximum biosorption capacities of 38.25, 63.37, 108.12 and 35.23 mg/g for Cd, Cu, Pb and Zn, respectively, were achieved at 31 cm bed height, 10 mL/min flow rate and 20 mg/L initial concentration. The Thomas model better described the whole dynamic behaviour of the column rather than the Dose Response and Yoon–Nelson models. Finally, desorption studies indicated that metal-loaded biosorbent could be used after three consecutive sorption, desorption and regeneration cycles by applying a semi-simulated real wastewater.