The Experts below are selected from a list of 705 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform

Francesca Beolchini - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A methodological approach for dynamic modelling of membrane integrated biosorption: a case study on Sphaerotilus natans as biosorbent
    International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    This work is a review of the study performed on heavy metals biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in an ultrafiltration membrane module. A methodological approach has been applied aiming at the dynamic modelling of the process: i) firstly, biosorbent was characterised according to acid-base properties of binding sites; ii) then, equilibrium studies were performed both in single metal and multimetal systems in order to evidence any competition for binding sites and to find mechanicistic models that are able to describe biosorption equilibrium; iii) finally, biosorption in membrane processes was investigated in laboratory scale, in the case of both single- metal and two- metal systems, and a dynamic model was developed accounting for binding site competition and for binding ability of cell's fragments generated by tangential flow shear stress.

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor.
    Water research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments.

  • Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in UF membrane module: experimental study and kinetic modeling
    Hydrometallurgy, 2004
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, F. Pagnanelli, L. Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans is presented in this work. The process was realized in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor in order to confine cells. Experimental tests were performed under different conditions of pH, cell concentration and copper concentration in the stream to be treated. Copper concentration in the permeate was monitored during time in order to determine the process performance. Experimental data evidenced the very high sorption abilities of the employed microorganism. Kinetic modeling of the process was also performed and a mathematical model was developed, which takes into account a variation vs. time of copper retention coefficient coupled with biomass concentration. The model was able to successfully match experimental data. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

  • Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in UF membrane module: experimental study and kinetic modeling
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans is presented in this work. The process was realized in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor in order to confine cells. Experimental tests were performed under different conditions of pH, cell concentration and copper concentration in the stream to be treated. Copper concentration in the permeate was monitored during time in order to determine the process performance. Experimental data evidenced the very high sorption abilities of the employed microorganism. Kinetic modeling of the process was also performed and a mathematical model was developed, which takes into account a variation vs. time of copper retention coefficient coupled with biomass concentration. The model was able to successfully match experimental data.

  • Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrix: Equilibrium and kinetic analysis
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Abstract Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrices has been studied. Firstly, a rough characterisation of biosorbent beads has been performed, and operating conditions for beads preparation aimed at biosorption have been optimised. Then, the equilibrium of the process was studied in order to determine the effect of pH and biomass concentration inside beads; experimental data were successfully fitted by the Langmuir equation, and the highest value for loading was 5.4 mg/g estimated at pH 5.5 and 0.18 g of lyophilised biomass per gram of beads. Biosorption kinetics has also been studied, and an original kinetic model was developed which is able to correlate experimental data. This model was developed from the Shrinking Core Model, considering a variable copper diffusion coefficient dependent on the process conversion. The estimated values for copper diffusion coefficient were obviously lower than copper diffusivity in water, and they depend on biomass concentration inside beads. Beads regeneration was studied using EDTA, HCl and CaCl 2 . Satisfactory biosorption performances were observed also after 10 sorption/desorption cycles, with CaCl 2 as regeneration solution. All the results confirmed the technical feasibility of the biosorption process by a polysulfone-entrapped biomass even though biosorption efficiency should be improved.

Francesco Veglio - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A methodological approach for dynamic modelling of membrane integrated biosorption: a case study on Sphaerotilus natans as biosorbent
    International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    This work is a review of the study performed on heavy metals biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in an ultrafiltration membrane module. A methodological approach has been applied aiming at the dynamic modelling of the process: i) firstly, biosorbent was characterised according to acid-base properties of binding sites; ii) then, equilibrium studies were performed both in single metal and multimetal systems in order to evidence any competition for binding sites and to find mechanicistic models that are able to describe biosorption equilibrium; iii) finally, biosorption in membrane processes was investigated in laboratory scale, in the case of both single- metal and two- metal systems, and a dynamic model was developed accounting for binding site competition and for binding ability of cell's fragments generated by tangential flow shear stress.

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor.
    Water research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments.

  • Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in UF membrane module: experimental study and kinetic modeling
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans is presented in this work. The process was realized in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor in order to confine cells. Experimental tests were performed under different conditions of pH, cell concentration and copper concentration in the stream to be treated. Copper concentration in the permeate was monitored during time in order to determine the process performance. Experimental data evidenced the very high sorption abilities of the employed microorganism. Kinetic modeling of the process was also performed and a mathematical model was developed, which takes into account a variation vs. time of copper retention coefficient coupled with biomass concentration. The model was able to successfully match experimental data.

  • Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrix: Equilibrium and kinetic analysis
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Abstract Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrices has been studied. Firstly, a rough characterisation of biosorbent beads has been performed, and operating conditions for beads preparation aimed at biosorption have been optimised. Then, the equilibrium of the process was studied in order to determine the effect of pH and biomass concentration inside beads; experimental data were successfully fitted by the Langmuir equation, and the highest value for loading was 5.4 mg/g estimated at pH 5.5 and 0.18 g of lyophilised biomass per gram of beads. Biosorption kinetics has also been studied, and an original kinetic model was developed which is able to correlate experimental data. This model was developed from the Shrinking Core Model, considering a variable copper diffusion coefficient dependent on the process conversion. The estimated values for copper diffusion coefficient were obviously lower than copper diffusivity in water, and they depend on biomass concentration inside beads. Beads regeneration was studied using EDTA, HCl and CaCl 2 . Satisfactory biosorption performances were observed also after 10 sorption/desorption cycles, with CaCl 2 as regeneration solution. All the results confirmed the technical feasibility of the biosorption process by a polysulfone-entrapped biomass even though biosorption efficiency should be improved.

F. Vegliò - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: Equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor
    'Elsevier BV', 2006
    Co-Authors: F. Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

  • Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in UF membrane module: experimental study and kinetic modeling
    Hydrometallurgy, 2004
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, F. Pagnanelli, L. Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans is presented in this work. The process was realized in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor in order to confine cells. Experimental tests were performed under different conditions of pH, cell concentration and copper concentration in the stream to be treated. Copper concentration in the permeate was monitored during time in order to determine the process performance. Experimental data evidenced the very high sorption abilities of the employed microorganism. Kinetic modeling of the process was also performed and a mathematical model was developed, which takes into account a variation vs. time of copper retention coefficient coupled with biomass concentration. The model was able to successfully match experimental data. (C) 2003 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved

  • metal speciation and ph effect on pb cu zn and cd biosorption onto Sphaerotilus natans langmuir type empirical model
    Water Research, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Pagnanelli, A. Esposito, Luigi Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Abstract Biosorption data of lead, copper, zinc and cadmium onto Sphaerotilus natans at different equilibrium pH (3–5 units) were here reported and analysed. Experimental results outlined the positive effect of pH increase on pollutant uptake and also the biomass affinity series (Pb>Cu>Zn>Cd) reflecting the hydrolytic properties of metals. An original empirical model was proposed to represent the effect of pH on heavy metal biosorption inserting q max vs. pH empirical functions into the classical Langmuir isotherm.

  • Metal speciation and pH effect on Pb, Cu, Zn and Cd biosorption onto Sphaerotilus natans: Langmuir-type empirical model
    'Elsevier BV', 2003
    Co-Authors: Pagnanelli Francesca, A. Esposito, Toro Luigi, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Biosorption data of lead, copper, zinc and cadmium onto Sphaerotilus natans at different equilibrium pH (3-5 units) were here reported and analysed. Experimental results outlined the positive effect of pH increase on pollutant uptake and also the biomass affinity series (Pb > Cu > Zn > Cd) reflecting the hydrolytic properties of metals. An original empirical model was proposed to represent the effect of pH on heavy metal biosorption inserting q(max) vs. pH empirical functions into the classical Langmuir isotherm. (C) 2002 Elsevier Science Ltd. All rights reserved

  • Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrix: equilibrium and kinetic analysis
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, F. Pagnanelli, L. Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrices has been studied. Firstly, a rough characterisation of biosorbent beads has been performed, and operating conditions for beads preparation aimed at biosorption have been optimised. Then, the equilibrium of the process was studied in order to determine the effect of pH and biomass concentration inside beads; experimental data were successfully fitted by the Langrnuir equation, and the highest value for loading was 5.4 mg/g estimated at pH 5.5 and 0.18 g of lyophilised biomass per gram of beads. Biosorption kinetics has also been studied, and an original kinetic model was developed which is able to correlate experimental data. This model was developed from the Shrinking Core Model, considering a variable copper diffusion coefficient dependent on the process conversion. The estimated values for copper diffusion coefficient were obviously lower than copper diffusivity in water, and they depend on biomass concentration inside beads. Beads regeneration was studied using EDTA, HCl and CaCl2. Satisfactory biosorption performances were observed also after 10 sorption/desorption cycles, with CaCl2 as regeneration solution, All the results confirmed the technical feasibility of the biosorption process by a polysulfone-entrapped biomass even though biosorption efficiency should be improved. (C) 2003 Elsevier Science B.V. All rights reserved

Francesca Pagnanelli - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A methodological approach for dynamic modelling of membrane integrated biosorption: a case study on Sphaerotilus natans as biosorbent
    International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    This work is a review of the study performed on heavy metals biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in an ultrafiltration membrane module. A methodological approach has been applied aiming at the dynamic modelling of the process: i) firstly, biosorbent was characterised according to acid-base properties of binding sites; ii) then, equilibrium studies were performed both in single metal and multimetal systems in order to evidence any competition for binding sites and to find mechanicistic models that are able to describe biosorption equilibrium; iii) finally, biosorption in membrane processes was investigated in laboratory scale, in the case of both single- metal and two- metal systems, and a dynamic model was developed accounting for binding site competition and for binding ability of cell's fragments generated by tangential flow shear stress.

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: Equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor
    'Elsevier BV', 2006
    Co-Authors: F. Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor.
    Water research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments.

  • Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in UF membrane module: experimental study and kinetic modeling
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans is presented in this work. The process was realized in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor in order to confine cells. Experimental tests were performed under different conditions of pH, cell concentration and copper concentration in the stream to be treated. Copper concentration in the permeate was monitored during time in order to determine the process performance. Experimental data evidenced the very high sorption abilities of the employed microorganism. Kinetic modeling of the process was also performed and a mathematical model was developed, which takes into account a variation vs. time of copper retention coefficient coupled with biomass concentration. The model was able to successfully match experimental data.

  • Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrix: Equilibrium and kinetic analysis
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Abstract Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrices has been studied. Firstly, a rough characterisation of biosorbent beads has been performed, and operating conditions for beads preparation aimed at biosorption have been optimised. Then, the equilibrium of the process was studied in order to determine the effect of pH and biomass concentration inside beads; experimental data were successfully fitted by the Langmuir equation, and the highest value for loading was 5.4 mg/g estimated at pH 5.5 and 0.18 g of lyophilised biomass per gram of beads. Biosorption kinetics has also been studied, and an original kinetic model was developed which is able to correlate experimental data. This model was developed from the Shrinking Core Model, considering a variable copper diffusion coefficient dependent on the process conversion. The estimated values for copper diffusion coefficient were obviously lower than copper diffusivity in water, and they depend on biomass concentration inside beads. Beads regeneration was studied using EDTA, HCl and CaCl 2 . Satisfactory biosorption performances were observed also after 10 sorption/desorption cycles, with CaCl 2 as regeneration solution. All the results confirmed the technical feasibility of the biosorption process by a polysulfone-entrapped biomass even though biosorption efficiency should be improved.

Luigi Toro - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.

  • A methodological approach for dynamic modelling of membrane integrated biosorption: a case study on Sphaerotilus natans as biosorbent
    International Journal of Environment and Pollution, 2008
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    This work is a review of the study performed on heavy metals biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in an ultrafiltration membrane module. A methodological approach has been applied aiming at the dynamic modelling of the process: i) firstly, biosorbent was characterised according to acid-base properties of binding sites; ii) then, equilibrium studies were performed both in single metal and multimetal systems in order to evidence any competition for binding sites and to find mechanicistic models that are able to describe biosorption equilibrium; iii) finally, biosorption in membrane processes was investigated in laboratory scale, in the case of both single- metal and two- metal systems, and a dynamic model was developed accounting for binding site competition and for binding ability of cell's fragments generated by tangential flow shear stress.

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: Equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor
    'Elsevier BV', 2006
    Co-Authors: F. Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, F. Vegliò
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments. © 2005 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved

  • Ionic strength effect on copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans: equilibrium study and dynamic modelling in membrane reactor.
    Water research, 2005
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans in different conditions of ionic strength and pH was studied by performing sorption tests in batch and membrane reactors. Equilibrium batch tests evidenced the negative effect of ionic strength and the positive effect of pH on biosorption performances: the highest determined value for copper specific uptake, q, was about 60 mg/g at pH 6 and about 15 mg/g at pH 4. A competitive equilibrium model was successfully fitted to experimental data at different ionic strength levels to account for copper-sodium competition. In membrane reactor tests, experimental profiles of copper concentration in the permeate vs. time did not evidence a significant effect of ionic strength at low pH values (4 and 5). On the other hand a more remarkable effect of ionic strength on copper concentration in the permeate was observed at pH 6. Experimental profiles of continuous biosorption in the membrane reactors were successfully simulated by developing a dynamic model accounting for Cu-Na competition and for binding ability of cells fragments.

  • Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans confined in UF membrane module: experimental study and kinetic modeling
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans is presented in this work. The process was realized in an ultrafiltration membrane reactor in order to confine cells. Experimental tests were performed under different conditions of pH, cell concentration and copper concentration in the stream to be treated. Copper concentration in the permeate was monitored during time in order to determine the process performance. Experimental data evidenced the very high sorption abilities of the employed microorganism. Kinetic modeling of the process was also performed and a mathematical model was developed, which takes into account a variation vs. time of copper retention coefficient coupled with biomass concentration. The model was able to successfully match experimental data.

  • Biosorption of copper by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrix: Equilibrium and kinetic analysis
    Hydrometallurgy, 2003
    Co-Authors: Francesca Beolchini, Francesca Pagnanelli, Luigi Toro, Francesco Veglio
    Abstract:

    Abstract Copper biosorption by Sphaerotilus natans immobilised in polysulfone matrices has been studied. Firstly, a rough characterisation of biosorbent beads has been performed, and operating conditions for beads preparation aimed at biosorption have been optimised. Then, the equilibrium of the process was studied in order to determine the effect of pH and biomass concentration inside beads; experimental data were successfully fitted by the Langmuir equation, and the highest value for loading was 5.4 mg/g estimated at pH 5.5 and 0.18 g of lyophilised biomass per gram of beads. Biosorption kinetics has also been studied, and an original kinetic model was developed which is able to correlate experimental data. This model was developed from the Shrinking Core Model, considering a variable copper diffusion coefficient dependent on the process conversion. The estimated values for copper diffusion coefficient were obviously lower than copper diffusivity in water, and they depend on biomass concentration inside beads. Beads regeneration was studied using EDTA, HCl and CaCl 2 . Satisfactory biosorption performances were observed also after 10 sorption/desorption cycles, with CaCl 2 as regeneration solution. All the results confirmed the technical feasibility of the biosorption process by a polysulfone-entrapped biomass even though biosorption efficiency should be improved.