Abstract
The objective of this study is to examine the ability of a compost material for removing Cu2+ from aqueous solutions with different parameters using continuous fixed-bed column. Compost was characterized by using Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy which revealed that the metal binding is mainly contributed to the ionic interaction of the metal cations with the carboxyl groups in the hemic substances. Scanning electron microscope images were utilized for morphological analysis of the adsorbent and has revealed that the changes in compost composition could be related to the mechanism of metal binding. Energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy was used before and after the metal had loaded and gives a good evidence on compost adsorption of Cu2+ and the metals have its involvement in the interaction in the adsorption process. The influence of the initial Cu2+ concentration, flow rate, bed heights of the column, and ion exchange have been studied in this research. The adsorption kinetic models have revealed that the behaviour of the Cu2+ adsorption is dependent on rate of concentration, flow rate, and bed heights.