Packed bed column studies of hexavalent chromium adsorption by zinc chloride activated carbon synthesized from Phanera vahlii fruit biomass

In the present work, biosorption potential of zinc chloride activated biomass of Phanera vahlii fruit was investigated for abatement of hexavalent chromium from synthetic solution in continuous mode. Zinc chloride activation provided the activated carbon with large surface area and pore volume. The parameters influencing continuous adsorption process viz. flow rate, bed height and initial metal concentration were considered as 5–15 mL/min, 2–8 cm and 50–200 mg/L, respectively and optimized. With increase in bed height, the breakthrough time increased while with increase in initial metal concentration and flow rate, the breakthrough time declined. It was discovered that the continuous column adsorption models viz. Thomas and Yoon–Nelson fitted better with the experimental data as compared to Adams-Bohart and Bed Depth Service time (BDST). In conclusion, it was discovered that zinc chloride activated Phanera vahlii fruit biomass is a promising adsorbent for adsorption of hexavalent chromium in continuous mode.