REMOVAL OF NICKEL FROM ELETROPLATING WASTEWATER BY WEAKLY BASIC CHELATING ANION EXCHANGE RESINS: DOWEX 50x4, DOWEX 50x2 AND DOWEX M-4195

The removal of nickel from plating waste water by weakly basic chelating anion exchange resins, such as Dowex 50x4, 50x2 and Dowex M-4195, is investigated. Effect of initial metal ion concentration, resin dose and pH on exchange capacities of ion exchange resins was studied in a batch method. The adsorption process, which is pH dependent, shows maximum removal of nickel in the pH range 4-6 for an initial nickel concentration of 05-30 mg L-1 and with resin dose 25-700 mg L-1. The experimental data have been analyzed by using the Freundlich and Langmuir isotherm equation. The isotherm constants for all these isotherm models have been calculated. The uptake of Nickel by the ion exchange resins was reversible and thus has good potential for the removal/recovery of nickel from plating waste effluent contain nickel in the form of anion exchange. The investigated ion exchange resins can be used for the efficient removal of nickel from plating wastewater.