Rhenium Separation from Aqueous Solutions by Rice Husk

The readily accessible, highly efficient and cheaply adsorbents of Iraqi Rice Husk (IRH) was applied for separation of rhenium (Re) from aqueous solution. Different operation parameters were studied which were initial Re concentration, absorbance material packing height, pH of aqueous solution, contact time, flow rate and feed temperature. It was found that Re could be adsorbed quantitatively (above 90%) on IRH in the pH range of 1.0-3.0. For other parameters, when flow rate and initial concentration were decreasing the percentage removal was increased, and vice versa with respect to contact time and the height of adsorbent. Best kinetic and isotherm results were achieved by that the pseudo-second-order and Freundlich isotherm equations, respectively. Thus, IRH as the sorbent was successfully applied to the separation of Re from the aqueous solution with satisfactory results.