Removal of Zinc from Water by Adsorpion on Bentonite and Kaolin

The aim of this work is to study the zinc removal possibility by adsorption on a bentonite of Mostaganem (Algeria) and kaolin, and determine various reaction parameter effects on the process. Experiments were carried out with synthetic distilled water solutions. The kinetics of adsorption results showed that zinc removal is max with 89.8 ℅ efficiency for bentonite after 20 min and 45.48℅ efficiency for kaolin after 60 min of contact time. Increasing in adsorbent dose (0.5 to 8 g/l) improves zinc removal efficiency for 5mg/l like an initial concentration. Zinc removal efficiency by the two adsorbent decreases with the initial zinc concentration increasing (2 to 20 mg/l). pH of treatment considerably affects the zinc retention rate. Zn removal efficiencies are noticeable at basic pH. Whatever reaction parameter tested, it seems that bentonite is more effective than kaolin.