The sorption of two divalent metal ions, namely, copper and cadmium ions, has been studied due to their toxicity in nature and extensive use in industry. Fixed-bed column experiments with different feed concentrations, flowrates and adsorbent particle sizes have been carried out, evaluating sorption of these two metal ions on bone char. Pilot-plant experimental studies have been performed and two simplified design models, namely, the BDST model and EBRT analysis, have been used to analyse the data. New correlations, incorporating a time-dependent term, have been developed to compensate for the time required for the bed to achieve equilibrium sorption capacity. Finally, predictions of the operating lines on the EBRT plot have been correlated using the two metal ion sorption systems.