FLUORIDE ADSORPTION ON FISHBONE CHARCOAL THROUGH A MOVING-MEDIA ADSORBER

Results of studies conducted to investigate the effect of some of the variables viz. sorbent mass input rate, sorbate flow-rate, initial sorbate concentration on the removal of fluoride by adsorption on fishbone charcoal in a moving media adsorption system, are presented. The ratio of attained equilibrium sorbate concentration to the initial sorbate concentration and the fluoride removal capacity of sorbent were found to vary inversely with the sorbent mass input rate whereas they varied directly with the sorbate flow rate and initial sorbate concentration. Empirical relationships have been developed to predict the ratio of attained equilibrium sorbate concentration to the initial sorbate concentration and the fluoride removal capacity of sorbent with respect to the variables investigated for the observed test conditions. The conventional isotherms (Langmuir and Freudlich isotherms) showed no good correlations for the data of the presented study. Correlation equations for the moving media adsorption system have been evolved. The ratio of attained equilibrium sorbate concentration to the initial sorbate concentration was found to be a function of sorbent-sorbate mass input rates ratio. Also, a model between these parameters manifesting a fairly high coefficient of correlation is presented.