Application of the Swan Model for the Adsorption of Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ on Chitosan Derivative in a Packed Bed Column

Abstract:

Water pollution by heavy metals constitutes a significant environmental and health risk, necessitating efficient and reusable adsorbents. The current study investigates the application of inexpensive biopolymer chitosan to extract Ni²⁺ and Cd²⁺ ions from aqueous solutions. Material characterization using X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed the amorphous nature (absence of peak at 10°), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) analysis exhibited the mesoporous surface area of 302.12 m²/g, suitable for the adsorption of metal ions. The Swan model was parameterized with batch-derived adsorption parameters (i.e., Qₘₐₓ = 220 mg/g for Ni²⁺, 226 mg/g for Cd²⁺) and successfully predicted packed-bed breakthrough curves at optimum pH (7 for Ni²⁺, 6 for Cd²⁺), with transport rates of 3.65 × 10^-11 m²/s (Ni²⁺) and 3.14 × 10^-11 m²⁺/s (Cd²⁺) for a 1.2 m column. The material retained over 95% removal efficiency after five regeneration cycles. These findings show the potential of chitosan for large-scale water treatment with high efficiency, model-driven design, and strong reusability.

• Periodical: Engineering Chemistry (Volume 11)
• Pages: 39-52
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/p-QWZ5u3
• Online since: September 2025
• Authors: Innocentia G. Mkhize, Ephraim Igberase*
• Keywords: Adsorption Kinetics, Breakthrough Analysis, Chitosan-Chitin Adsorbent, GCCHI Beads, Heavy Metal Removal, Regeneration, Simulation, Sustainable Adsorbent, Swan Model

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