Abstract:
This study was designed to provide a comprehensive investigation into heat and acid reactivation of spent
bleaching earth (SBE) and adsorption of Cu(II) ions from aqueous solutions. Heat treatment was the master
variable in SBE regeneration. Dilute acid treatment did not constitute an effective SBE reactivation protocol
for this purpose. Solvent extraction of residual oil using excess methylethyl ketone followed by heating at
370 °C was, therefore, the most effective reactivation procedure. Highly adsorptive materials with N98%
removal of Cu(II) ions from solution were obtained. Thus, N80% Cu adsorption was reversible at SBE silicate
sites because of their higher proportion in the adsorbent.
