OPTIMIZING THE ADSORPTION OF GOLD FROM DILUTE AQUA-REGIA-GOLD LEACHATE ONTO SUGARCANE BAGASSE GEL

Abstract

An investigation was conducted on the adsorption behavior of gold (III) ions from a dilute aqua-regia leached solution of low-grade gold ore utilizing sugarcane bagasse gel. The experiment was designed using center composite design (CCD) with RSM, from which a quadratic model was created for regression analysis. Agitation rate, adsorbent concentration, contact time, and temperature are significant factors whose impacts were taken into account; their corresponding optimal values were determined to be 45 rpm, 1.4 g/L, 99 minutes, and 60°C. It was discovered that the adsorption yield was 91.5%. Additionally, it was discovered that the adsorption yield was 93.25% when analar grade activated carbon was utilized for the adsorption under ideal circumstances. The equilibrium sorption of Au(III) ions was performed at the ideal temperature of 323K. The results were fitted into Freundlich, Temkin, and Langmuir isotherms; the Langmuir model showed the best agreement with the experimental data.