Optimization of Crystal Violet Dye Removal in Fixed Bed Column Using Eucalyptus camaldulensis as a Low-Cost Adsorbent

Abstract

Adsorption through waste adsorbents is one of the developing technologies used for treating textile wastewater. The present study explores the possible outcome of Eucalyptus camaldulensis biomass as an adsorbent for removing crystal violet dye from aqueous solutions. Eucalyptus camaldulensis biomass was used as such and used in fixed bed column mode to testify its potential at different parameters. Effect of different constraints like bed height (cm), flow rate (mlmin-1), initial dye concentration (mgL-1), and pH were studied along with breakthrough curve and exhaust time. Maximum breakthrough curve and exhaust time and utilization of mass transfer zone were observed at bed height of 20 cm. However, the promising results are obtained at higher dye concentration (50 mgL-1), lower flow rate (1 mlmin-1), and at lower pH of 5. This study reveals promising results at acidic pH. This study reflects that adsorption capacity and breakthrough curve favor lower acidic pH. The adsorption data in batch mode follow the Langmuir isotherm and best fit to pseudo-second-order reaction kinetics. The breakthrough curve and mass transfer zone are individually testified, and the breakthrough curve obeys the assumptions of the Thomas model, and R2 (0.933-0.997) values confirm the data that its best fit with the Thomas model.