Fixed bed column modeling of lead(II) and cadmium(II) ions biosorption on sugarcane bagasse

In this paper the results of the biosorption of lead(II) and cadmium(II) with sugarcane bagasse in fixed bed columns are presented. Experimental data were fitted to several models describing the rupture curve for single-component and two-component systems. The percentages of removal of lead and cadmium in single-component systems are 91% and 90%, respectively. In lead-cadmium bicomponent systems the percentage of elimination of lead was 90% and cadmium 92%. In single-component systems, Yoon-Nelson and Thomas models successfully reproduce the rupture curves. In two-component system, the Dose-Response model was the best one reproducing the experimental rupture curves in the entire measured range.