Kinetic Studies of Cs+ and Sr2+ Ion Exchange Using Clinoptilolite in Static Columns and an Agitated Tubular Reactor (ATR)

Natural clinoptilolite was studied to assess its performance in removing caesium and strontium ions, using both static columns an agitated tube reactor (ATR) for process intensification. Kinetic breakthrough curves were fitted the Thomas Modified Dose Response (MDR) models. In columns, adsorption capacity (qe) 200 ppm ion concentrations found be ~171 16 mg/g strontium, respectively, highlighting poor material ability exchange strontium. Reducing concentration of 100 ppm, however, led a higher qe ~48 (close maximum capacity). Conversely, halving column residence time 15 min decreased solutions 13–14 mg/g. All kinetic data correlated well with capacities previous batch studies, where, particular, influence on slow uptake kinetics evidenced. For ATR two lengths investigated (of 25 34 cm) embedded directly into agitator bar. The cm-length system significantly outperformed vertical where enhanced by ~30%, which assumed due heightened from shear mixing. Critically, increase achieved relative flow rate over twice that columns.