ARTÍCULO
Mathematical modeling and numerical simulation of sulfamethoxazole adsorption onto sugarcane bagasse in a fixed-bed column
Fecha
2021Registro en:
0045-6535
10.1016/j.chemosphere.2021.130687
Autor
Juela Quintuña, Diego Marcelo
Vera Cabezas, Luisa Mayra
Cruzat Contreras, Christian Americo
Alvarez Palomeque, Lourdes Ximena
Vanegas Peña, Maria Eulalia
Institución
Resumen
Having rigorous mathematical models is essential for the design and scaling of adsorption columns. In
this study, the dynamic behavior of the sulfamethoxazole adsorption on sugarcane bagasse was studied
and compared using analytical models and a theoretical mechanistic model. Initially, fixed-bed column
tests were carried out at different flow rates and bed heights. Then, the experimental data were fitted
with the most widely used analytical kinetic models, and their fit and fixed-bed parameters were
compared with the mechanistic model. Of all analytical models analyzed, the Log-Gompertz model was
the one that had the best agreed with experimental data. Although some analytical models fitted the
experimental data accurately, their usefulness was questionable. Their parameters did not show a clear
relationship with the change in operating conditions, and in certain cases had different behavior from
that observed in experimentation. Conversely, the mechanistic model not only predicted the break through curves with great accuracy in the initial and transition stage (R2 > 0.92; SSE < 0.06), but it also
estimated relevant parameters. Additionally, the effects of the global mass transfer coefficient (Ki) and
the axial dispersion coefficient (Dz) on breakthrough curves were studied using the mechanistic model.
Increasing Ki increased the slope of the breakthrough curves with a faster adsorption rate. Similarly, high
values of Dz produced lower adsorption capacities of the adsorbent; and it was established that the axial
dispersion is relevant in SMX adsorption on SB. The theoretical model presented can be used for the
design, scaling, and optimization of adsorption columns.