Ranitidine hydrochloride sorption onto superheated steam activated biochar derived from mung bean husk in fixed bed column

Abstract

The present investigation highlights the sorption of ranitidine hydrochloride (RH) from aqueous solution onto superheated steam activated mung bean husk derived biochar (SMBB) in fixed bed column. The SMBB were well characterized by Brunauer–Emmett–Teller (BET) surface area analyzer, Fourier transform IR spectroscopy (FTIR), scanning electron microscope (SEM), point of zero charge (pHPZC) and X-ray diffractory (XRD). The influence of various parameters viz. bed depths (1, 2, and 3cm), RH initial concentrations (100, 150, and 200mg/L), and volumetric flow rates (2.0, 4.0, and 6.0ml/min) on the performance of the breakthrough curve was studied. The highest adsorptive capacity of sorbent was observed to be 12mg/g using bed height 3cm, flow rate 2ml/min and inlet RH concentration 200mg/L. The breakthrough time was found to increase with increase in bed depth, and decrease with increase in initial concentration and volumetric flow rate. Among all the kinetic models examined, Yoon–Nelson model was found to be most suitable for simulation of the breakthrough curve of RH uptake on SMBB in fixed bed column. The study revealed that SMBB could be a potential sorbent for efficient removal of RH in fixed-bed adsorption column.