Textile sludge–sawdust chemically produced activated carbon: equilibrium and dynamics studies of malachite green adsorption

Abstract

Textile sludge–sawdust chemically produced activated carbon (SSAC) was used in equilibrium and dynamics adsorption of malachite green (MG). The effects of concentration in equilibrium, and influent flow rate (15–30 mL/min), initial concentration (20–80 mg/L) and bed height (2–6 cm) in dynamics mode were investigated. SSAC with surface area of 979 m2/g shows an outstanding maximum capacity of malachite green at 530 mg/g. In adsorption dynamics, the breakthrough time and bed capacity increased with increasing bed height, and decreasing flow rate and influent dye concentration. Bohart-Adams, Thomas, Yoon-Nelson and Clark models were applied to describe the column breakthrough, dynamics behaviour and adsorption mechanisms. The breakthrough curves were best fitted by Yoon-Nelson model at the experimental conditions. The maximum bed capacity was reported to be 565 mg/g. SSAC is an effective adsorbent for MG removal from aqueous phase.