Adsorption and removal of antimony from aqueous solution by an activated alumina. 2. Adsorption rate and column operation with adsorption and desorption cycles

Adsorption rates of Sb(V) ions on an activated alumina (AA) were analyzed by batchwise experiments, while the continuous adsorption, desorption, regeneration of AA, and multiple reuse cycles were studied by flow column tests. The adsorption rates increased quickly with the increases of shaking speed and operation temperature. The adsorbed Sb(V) ions were desorbed easily by a 50 mM NaOH solution, and a 41-90 times concentrated Sb(V) solution was yielded correspondingly. AA was effectively regenerated by desorption operation and ca. 93% of the initial adsorption capacity was retained after six times adsorptlon/desorption cycles.