ISOTHERM AND THERMODYNAMIC ADSORPTION STUDIES OF NITRATE, PHOSPHATE AND AMMONIUM ONTO BENEFICIATED KAOLIN CLAY FROM KUTIGI, NIGER STATE, NIGERIA

Abstract

This study describes adsorption capacity of Beneficiated Kaolin Clay (BKC) from Kutigi, Niger State, Nigeria in removing Nitrate, Phosphate, Ammonium from domestic wastewater. Effects of temperature, contact time, and adsorbent dosage of the removal process were investigated. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to experimental data and the goodness of their fit for adsorption was compared. Enthalpy (ΔH), Gibb’s free energy (ΔG) and entropy of adsorptions (ΔS) were done to ascertain the exothermic or endothermic nature of the treatment process. The results show that the adsorption of nitrate, phosphate and ammonium onto the beneficiated kaolin clay from Kutigi, Niger State followed Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The results confirmed that the beneficiated kaolin clay illustrated higher adsorption capacities and can be used for the adsorptive removal of nitrate, phosphate, ammonium from domestic wastewater