Biosorption of Cationic Dyes onto Cork Stopper Particles by Inverse Fluidized Bed

Abstract

In this study cork stopper particles was used as a low cost biosorbent to remove the cationic dyes (Methylene blue (MB), Malachite green (MG), and Methyl violet (MV)) from simulated wastewater. Continuous experiments were studied in a laboratory scale in inverse fluidized-bed packed with cork stopper particles for removal these dyes. A set of continuous mode experiments was carried out in inverse fluidized bed column to study the effect of flow rate (10, 15, 20 l/h), bed depth (5, 10, 15 cm), and influent concentration (10, 20, 30 mg/l) on the performance of biosorption process onto cork stopper particles. The minimum inverse fluidized velocity was calculated and it was found to be 8 ×10-5 m/s. The results indicate that cork adsorbs dyes efficiently and can be used as a low-cost alternative for the removal of cationic dyes in wastewater treatment.