URANIUM SORPTION BY GLUTAMATE GLUCAN - A MODIFIED CHITOSAN .2. KINETIC-STUDIES

The kinetics of uranium sorption by glutamate glucan, a modified chito san polymer, were studied. The effects of the particle size of sorbent , pH, metal concentration, temperature and agitation were investigated . Diffusion mechanisms were predominant in rate-controlling steps: ext ernal mass transfer seemed to have a restricted effect on kinetic beha viour, on the other hand intraparticle diffusion was the main resistan ce model. Metal concentration, pH and particle size of the polymer wer e the major parameters, showing a great effect on the rate ratio of th e intraparticle diffusion model and on diffusion coefficient D'i, whos e value varied between 1,5 and 36 x 10(-12) m2/min.