Abstract In this study the influence of the volumetric flow rate and feed concentration was investigated for the adsorption of the reactive dye Blue 5G. Experiments were carried out in a bed packed with retorted shale, at 30 ºC. The ranges investigated were flow rate 2 -10 mL/min and the feed concentration 13-105 mg/L. Mathematical models were used to represent the dynamic sorption. The double resistance model considers the effects of the axial dispersion and the mass transfer resistance of the external film and inside the particles. As a result, the mass transfer coefficient of the external film and the internal mass transfer coefficient were estimated. The Thomas model was used to simulate the experimental data. In this model the fitted parameter was the adsorption kinetic constant. The first model provided an acceptable representation of the dynamic uptake of the reactive dye Blue 5G.

A aplicação de argilas para adsorção de metais pesados presentes em efluentes tem sido objeto de estudo em muitas pesquisas em virtude das inúmeras vantagens técnicas e econômicas. Este trabalho teve como objetivo obtenção de isotermas de adsorção de níquel e zinco em coluna de leito fixo utilizando como adsorvente argila bentonita calcinada a 500 ºC. Os experimentos para remoção de níquel e zinco foram conduzidos à temperatura ambiente (20 ºC - 25 ºC), pH da alimentação ajustado em 4,5, massa de argila calcinada de 15,5 g, com diâmetro médio de 0,855 mm, vazão de alimentação de 4 mL/min e concentração da solução de metal variando entre 0,5 meq/L a 4 meq/L. Os modelos de isoterma de Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir-Freundlich, Radke-Prausnitz, Redlich-Peterson, Sips e Toth foram ajustados aos dados de equilíbrio, sendo que o modelo de Langmuir apresentou melhor ajuste às concentrações de Ni2+ e Zn2+ adsorvido.

The use of clays for adsorption of heavy metals in wastewater has been studied in many trials because of numerous technical and economic advantages. This work aimed to evaluate the removal of nickel and zinc in fixed bed column. The experiments for the removal of nickel and zinc were conducted at room temperature (20 ºC - 25 ºC), pH adjusted at 4.5, weight of 15.5 g calcined clay,with an average diameter of 0.855mm, feeding flow rate 4 mL/min and concentration of the solution of metal between 0.5 meq/L to 4 meq/L. The Langmuir, Freundlich, Langmuir-Freundlich, Radke-Prausnitz, Redlich-Peterson, Sips and Toth models were fitted to equilibrium data, and the Langmuir model provided the best fit for adsorption isotherms.