Characteristics and kinetics of phosphate adsorption on dewatered ferric-alum residuals

The characteristics and kinetics of phosphate (P) adsorption on dewatered ferric-alum water treatment residuals (Fe-Al-WTRs) have been investigated. The existence of both aluminum (Al) and iron (Fe) in the residuals can result in significantly high P adsorption capacities. The P adsorption kinetics of Fe-Al-WTRs exhibited an initial rapid phase, followed by a slower phase. This could be described by three models, including a pseudo-first-order equation, a pseudo-second-order equation, and a double-constant rate equation. The latter was especially good for those runs with initial P concentrations of 500 and 1000 mg L(-1). Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms fit the experimental data well, particularly the Freundlich isotherm, which had a correlation coefficient of 0.9930. The maximum measured P adsorption capacity of Fe-Al-WTRs was 45.42 mg g(-1), which is high when compared to those of most WTRs, as well as other reported adsorbents. The results also show that the P adsorption is a spontaneous endothermic process. Highest P adsorption capacities of Fe-Al-WTRs were measured at low pHs and a particle size range of 0.6 to 0.9 mm.