RAVIKUMAR K. AND UDAYAKUMAR J.
Abstract
Adsorption using low cost clay-polymer composite media is assessed for its efficiency of treatment of lead contaminated water. The sorption capability of composite media prepared by bentonite clay and water-soluble cationic bio polymer of Moringa oleifera seed cake aqueous extract removing the Lead ions concentrations is evaluated in a fixed bed column reactor. The column experiment is conducted by varying the bed height and solution flow rate. At a flow rate (50 mL/ min), it is observed that maximum removal efficiency of lead is 99.5% at a height of 20cm from the base of column; 87%, 82% and 72%, for the heights 40 cm, 60 cm, 80cm respectively. For higher flow rate the removal efficiency decreased considerably. It is inferred that removal efficiency increases as the depth of the adsorption media increases due to greater surface area available for the sample for adsorption.