OPTIMIZATION OF ULTRASONICALLY ASSISTED ADSORPTION OF Cu(II) ON CARBONIZED AND ACTIVATED WALNUT SHELLS

Abstract

The effects of ultrasound (US) on the adsorption process of Cu(II) on granulated activated carbon (GAC), produced by walnut shells, was studied in this paper. Equilibrium results of the adsorption process are tested by Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption isotherms, and their linearization and determination of model parameters k; n; b and Qo. The adsorption capacity of GAC is 1.7 to 3.86 mmol/g with the use of US, and 0.66 to 2.7 mmol /g without the use of US. The increase of specific surface and initial concentration increase the efficacy of adsorption. Acquired mathematical regression equations very well represent experimental results, and the correlation coefficient (R2) is greater than 0.993.