Expansion of adsorption isotherms into equilibrium surface - Case 1: solvent impregnated resins (SIR)

In this work, the adsorption of Au(III) and Zn(II) by impregnated resins ha s been studied in batch and column experiments. In batch experiments succes sive contacts for each metal concentration were made until saturation was r eached. Equilibrium points corresponding to each contact brought a differen t isotherm. By introducing a new variable it was observed that all the equi librium points fitted a surface that we call the equilibrium surface. Once the equilibrium surface was determined it was found that the different isot herms, obtained in batch and column experiments, were fitted on the surface . Traditional isotherms and the equations of the equilibrium surfaces for z inc(II) and gold(III) adsorption with impregnated resins have been compared and discussed. The equilibrium surface equation proposed in this work has been proven to be a good tool for modelling adsorption by impregnated resin s in batch and column experiments. (C) 2001 Elsevier Science B.V. All right s reserved.