Lead removal from aqueous solutions by raw sawdust and magnesium pretreated biochar: Experimental investigations and numerical modelling

Salah Jellali*, Efstathios Diamantopoulos, Khouloud Haddad, Makram Anane, Wolfgang Durner, Ammar Mlayah

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

69 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Lead removal from aqueous solutions by raw cypress (Cupressus sempervirens L.) sawdust (RCS) and its derivative magnesium pretreated biochar (Mg-B) was investigated under static and dynamic conditions through batch and column assays. The Hydrus-1D model was used to estimate the transport parameters of the lead measured breakthrough curves. The batch experiments results showed that Mg-B was very efficient in removing lead compared to RCS and several other previously tested natural and modified materials. The column experiments results indicated that for both RCS and Mg-B, lead breakthrough curves and the related removal efficiencies were mainly dependent on the used initial concentration and the adsorbents bed height. The use of Hydrus-1D showed that the two-site chemical non-equilibrium model describes better the experimental lead breakthrough curves for both RCS and Mg-B as the equilibrium model.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)439-449
Number of pages11
JournalJournal of Environmental Management
Volume180
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2016
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Biochar
  • Hydrus
  • Lead
  • Modelling
  • Removal
  • Sawdust

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Environmental Engineering
  • Waste Management and Disposal
  • Management, Monitoring, Policy and Law

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