Removal of radiocobalt in waste water by activated charcoal using oxine as a chelating agent

The characteristics of the adsorption of Co ion in water on activated charcoal impregnated with oxine have been studied. Impregnation of oxine largely improved the adsorption capacity of activated charcoal (AC), although the apparent initial and final adsorption rates are not affected. Another important advantage of AC impregnated with oxine [AC(HOx)] over plain AC is that Co ion collected on AC(HOx) is not easily eluted by flowing water. Furthermore the collection of Co on AC(HOx) is not affected by the presence of Fe(III), which exists in a macroscopic amount in waste water. At the initial adsorption stage, the apparent adsorption rate of Co ion on AC(HOx) is roughly proportional to 0.91 power of the concentration of Co ion. (author)