Application of Nano Bio-clay Composite in a Scaling-up Study for Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

A scaling-up study integrating experimental and field experiments was managed to explore the most appropriate catalysis method to assist industries in getting rid of the Congo Red (CR) dye from industrial wastewater. The adsorption potential of kaolinite (K) modified by Ulva Lactuca (UL) was evaluated to eliminate CR dye from aqueous solutions. The novel kaolinite/alga nanocomposite (KUL) was synthesized following steps of the wet impregnation method and then subjected to characterization using different techniques. The newly reported KUL nanocomposite shows a significant increase in adsorption ability higher than that of K and UL. To research different experimental factors' effects, batch experiments were evaluated, and each of the kinetics/isotherms of CR adsorption were explored either. The CR removal% is clearly affected by catalyst dose, working temperature, and pH value with high percentage. The best temperature for CR adsorption onto KUL is 400C at pH>7. CR adsorption on KUL following the first-order diffusion model, while K and UL appeared to follow two different kinetic adsorption models depending on the CR concentration. Moreover, the field tests (scaling-up experiments) revealed optimistic results with 91% efficiency for KUL nano-adsorbents in eliminating mixed dyes from industrial wastewater, which means the foundation of novel environmentally benign nano-adsorbents to help in industrial wastewater recycling.