Zeolite P was synthesized through hydrothermal method based on a kind of Class C fly ash (FA). X-ray diffraction (XRD), scanning electron microscopy (SEM), and Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) were used to analyze and characterize the synthetic sample. The kinetics and thermodynamics of copper and nickel ions removed by the zeolite samples were experimentally explored in detail. The results of kinetic treatment showed the second-order exchange second-order saturation model (SESSM) can well describe the removal process of copper ions, while the first-order empirical kinetic model (FEKM) is the best kinetic model for nickel ions. Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were used to fit the equilibrium concentration of Cu(II) or Ni(II) under certain conditions. Whether for copper or nickel ion, the Langmuir model is in good agreement with the experimental equilibrium concentration. The apparent theoretical removal capacities for Cu(II) and Ni(II) can reach to 138.1 mg.g(-1) and 77.0 mg.g(-1) respectively. (C) 2018 The Chemical Industry and Engineering Society of China, and Chemical Industry Press. All rights reserved.