BACKGROUND Epichlorohydrin/thiourea modified alginate (ETA) microspheres prepared by an emulsion method were used as stationary phase in a fixed-bed column to selectively adsorb Pd (II) from bi-metallic solutions. The transport-dispersive model with a linear driving force kinetics equation and a pH-dependent competitive Langmuir isotherm was employed to predict the breakthrough curves of the metal ions from the fixed bed. RESULTS Good agreement between the model predictions and the experimental results under different operating conditions confirms the validity and accuracy of the mathematical model and the derived model parameters. Metal ions elute faster from the column with steeper breakthrough curves at higher flow rates and relatively higher feed concentrations. The pH value significantly affects the competitive adsorption isotherm as well as the breakthrough curves. The fully loaded packed bed can be regenerated completely by dilute thiourea solution. CONCLUSION The tailor-made ETA microspheres can be successfully packed in a fixed-bed column to selectively adsorb Pd (II) from bimetallic solutions. The transport-dispersive model is capable of predicting the adsorption performances over a wide range of operating conditions. (c) 2018 Society of Chemical Industry