The Influence of Mixing Intensity on the Sorbent Particle's Distribution and the Efficiency of Adsorption of Cu 2+ Ions from Aqueous Solutions

Abstract

Industrial and human activity has a significant impact on the environment, contributing, among others, to the increase in the pollution of natural waters, including heavy metals. Their source may be sewage from the metallurgical, electroplating or mining industries. Particularly dangerous to the health and life of living organisms are, among others: Cr(VI), Zn(II), Cu(II), Cd(II), Fe(II) and Ni(II), because they have a significant ability to accumulate in soft tissues. Physicochemical methods, electrochemical, membrane and sorption processes or ion exchange are used to remove such pollutants. Applying the principles of waste-free economy in a closed circuit, selected biomass is increasingly used as a sorbent. The paper presents a theoretical analysis of the effect of mixing intensity on the efficiency of the sorption process under established process conditions in connection with the assessment of the degree of dispersion of solid phase particles in the reactor.