Biogeocomposite material and its heavy metal adsorption potential from aqueous solutions

Biosorption process is emerging as a potential alternative for the heavy metal removal from aqueous solutions. A packed bed column containing biomaterials like papaya leaf powder and paddy straw powder was used for copper removal from aqueous solutions. The breakthrough curve was having an S-shaped profile and the breakthrough time became less with increase in initial concentration. Percentage removal of copper was around 85% and 77% for papaya leaf powder and paddy straw powder, respectively for a contact time of 120 minutes and initial concentration of 10 mg/L. A biogeocomposite material was developed to test the enhancement in adsorption using layers of non-woven geotextile material and a significant increase in adsorption was obtained. With the addition of geotextile material in between papaya powder layer and paddy straw powder, there was an average increase of 12.66% and 11.98%, respectively for the removal. A biocomposite material was developed with a mixture of the two biosorbents and the adsorption value of the biocomposite material was in between the two biosorbents. The applicability of Yoon Nelson model and Adam Bohart model were also evaluated and the most suitable model came out to be Yoon and Nelson model.