Adsorption Efficiency of Olive Powder in Removal of Chromium Ions from Aqueous Solutions using Continuous Flow Method

Water crisis has become one of the mankind issues in recent decade. The need for supplying and developing water resources is a crucial task for conserving and extending water resources. Releasing of heavy metals in the environment caused by industrialization and urbanization is a worldwide concern. These pollutants have attracted the attention of researchers due to their high toxicity, non-degradability, and cumulative effects. In the present study, absorption of chromium (VI) was assessed in continuous flow mode using fixed bed column of dark olive powder and the performance of the adsorbent column was evaluated by changing the flow rate and initial chromium concentration. The results showed that the break curve of the adsorption column is depended on the variables studied. Moreover, the total amount of chromium ion adsorbed and the column adsorption capacity decreased with increasing flow rate but increased by increasing the concentration of initial chromium. The maximum chromium adsorbed was 85% at flow rate of 4 ml/min and Cr(VI) of 0.07 mg/l. Hence, the as-prepared olive powder adsorbent could be used as a cheap adsorbent for removal of chromium from aqueous media because of its natural abundance, low preparation cost, simple preparation methodology, compliance with environment and having high adsorption capacity. It is recommended that the continuous flow method with reference to the parameters optimized be used in the chemical treatment processes of water and wastewater.