Abstract
The objective of this study was to investigate the
potential of acid activated South Africa clinoptilolite as an
adsorbent in the ion-exchange process for the removal of
cations from aqueous solutions. The kinetic parameters
affecting the adsorption of Cu (II) ions were studied. The
adsorption of Cu (II) from synthetic waste water was found to
be dependent on pH, temperature, contact time and initial
adsorbate concentration. The pH was varied from 2.5 to 6 and
the optimum pH for Cu (II) removal was found to be 4.0. The
removal of Cu (II) ions increased with time and attained
saturation in about 60-70 min. The equilibrium data showed
that the adsorption was endothermic nature. Kinetics data
showed that at higher temperatures, the rate of adsorption is
higher for the clinoptilolite natural zeolite and that Langmuir
equation successfully described the adsorption process.