Regeneration of spent bleaching earth and its adsorption of copper (II) ions from aqueous solutions

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 > 98% removal of Cu(II) ions from solution were obtained. Thus, > 80% Cu adsorption was reversible at SBE silicate sites because of their higher proportion in the adsorbent.