LAUSR

Abstract Biochar prepared from aromatic spent was used as adsorbent for assessing its removal capacity of cadmium, chromium, copper and lead from aqueous acidic solutions. For the optimization of the processes, separate experiments were setup in fixed bed columns of biochar prepared from different biomasses in variable sizes at different temperatures, metal concentrations, flow rate and time. The effect of the above parameters on adsorption of metals was assessed in terms of maximum adsorption capacity, kinetics, theorem and thermodynamics. Results show that maximum removal of each metal was 60 mg/g. The adsorption equilibrium data obeyed the Freundlich model and the kinetic data were well described by the pseudo-second-order model. The adsorption process is believed to proceed by an initial surface adsorption followed by intra-particle diffusion. In this regard to the proposed mechanism, modeling results implied that exchange of the hydrogen occurs during the low loading of metal. Opposite is true for the calcium, magnesium and sodium ions. Thermodynamic studies revealed the feasibility and endothermic nature of the system. Treatment of acidic mine water with biochar suggests that it buffers the acid and is capable of efficient removal of these metals.