REMOVAL OF CHROMIUM FROM SIMULATED AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING INTERCALATED AHOKO KAOLIN

Abstract

This study investigates the removal of chromium from simulated aqueous solution of potassium chromate using intercalated Nigeria Ahoko kaolin. One of the most important problems of contamination at present is the existence of heavy metals owed to their toxicity and cumulative properties. Adsorption process was used for the removal of chromium in this study. The adsorbent was initially refined to remove the quartz content. The adsorbent was intercalated with potassium dihydrogen phosphate for effective Chromium removal. Both batch and column studies were investigated. The conditions for the experiment were effect of pH of the adsorbate, concentration of the adsorbate, time and adsorbent dose for the batch adsorption studies and effect of flow rate for the column adsorption studies. The coefficient of determination for the Langmuir, Freundlich, Temkin and Dubinin-Radushkevich Isotherms were low, this might be as a result of the process condition e.g temperature that was not considered. However, Langmuir adsorption still gave the best fit. For the column study, the breakthrough occurred faster and the breakpoint time decreased at a higher flowrate. The result showed that Nigerian Ahoko Kaolin intercalated with potassium dihydrogen phosphate is effective adsorbent in chromium removal from aqueous solution. Generally, Nigeria Ahoko kaolin can be utilized as potential adsorbent.