Optimization of process variables by response surface methodology for malachite green dye removal using lime peel activated carbon

Mohd Azmier Ahmad,Nur Syahidah Afandi,Olugbenga Solomon Bello

doi:10.1007/s13201-015-0284-0

Mohd Azmier Ahmad, Nur Syahidah Afandi + Show 1 more

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-015-0284-0

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Abstract

This study investigates the adsorptive removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solutions using chemically modified lime-peel-based activated carbon (LPAC). The adsorbent prepared was characterized using FTIR, SEM, Proximate analysis and BET techniques, respectively. Central composite design (CCD) in response surface methodology (RSM) was used to optimize the adsorption process. The effects of three variables: activation temperature, activation time and chemical impregnation ratio (IR) using KOH and their effects on percentage of dye removal and LPAC yield were investigated. Based on CCD design, quadratic models and two factor interactions (2FI) were developed correlating the adsorption variables to the two responses. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to judge the adequacy of the model. The optimum conditions of MG dye removal using LPAC are: activation temperature (796 °C), activation time (1.0 h) and impregnation ratio (2.6), respectively. The percentage of MG dye removal obtained was 94.68 % resulting in 17.88 % LPAC yield. The percentage of error between predicted and experimental results for the removal of MG dye is 0.4 %. Model prediction was in good agreement with experimental results and LPAC was found to be effective in removing MG dye from aqueous solution.

Highlights

Leather, textile, paper and pulp industries discharge large quantities of highly coloured effluent containing dyes into nearby rivers or land without any treatment because conventional treatment methods are very expensive
This study investigates the adsorptive removal of malachite green (MG) dye from aqueous solutions using chemically modified lime-peel-based activated carbon (LPAC)
The percentage of MG dye removal obtained was 94.68 % resulting in 17.88 % LPAC yield

Summary

Introduction

Textile, paper and pulp industries discharge large quantities of highly coloured effluent containing dyes into nearby rivers or land without any treatment because conventional treatment methods are very expensive. Small amount of dye present in water (\1 mg/L), is highly visible and undesirable (Sun and Yung 2003). Based on the chromophore group, 20–30 different groups of dyes are pollutants; removal of color from effluents is one of the major environmental problems. The dye under investigation, Malachite green is used to colour silk, leather and paper. It is water-soluble, found as contaminant in industrial effluents.

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