DIFFUSIVITY OF CU2+ IN CALCIUM ALGINATE GEL BEADS

A linear absorption model (LAM) is used to describe the process of metal binding to spherically shaped biopolymer particles. The LAM was solved using a numerical algorithm which calculates diffusivities of metal ions in biopolymer gels. It assumes attainment of rapid metal-biopolymer binding equilibrium accompanied by rate limiting diffusion of the metal ions through the gel. The model was tested using batch experiments in which copper (Cu2+) binding with calcium alginate beads was investigated. Biopolymer density in the beads was varied between 2% and 5%. The diffusion coefficient of Cu2+ calculated from the LAM ranged from 1.19 x 10(-9) to 1.48 x 10(-9) m2 s-1 (average 1.31 +/- 0.21 X 10(-9)) m2 s-1), independent of biopolymer density. The LAM has theoretical advantages over the shrinking core model (shell progressive model). The latter calculated an unreasonable exponential increase in the diffusion coefficient as density of alginate polymer in the bead increased.