Column experiments to remove copper from wastewaters using natural zeolite

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to investigate the use of clinoptilolite, naturally occurring zeolite, in the removal of copper ions from wastewaters. The experiments were run in a column system. Besides, the effects of feed flow rate, bed depth, influent concentration and particle size on the ion exchange were also investigated. The experimental work that performed on the natural zeolite, which is found abundant quantities in Turkey, showed that the ion exchange process is quite rapid and high quantities of copper ions are removed from the aqueous in a short period of time.