Authors : O.B. Isiuku, M. Horsfall and A.I. Spiff
Abstract: The aim of this study was to investigate the ability of H3PO4 and NaOH-activated carbons derived from cassava (Manihot esculenta) peels to remove metanil yellow dye from aqueous solution in fixed beds. The effects of initial dye concentration, bed height and flow rate at natural pH on the breakthrough characteristics were determined. The highest experimental values for the equilibrium adsorption capacities were 19.216 and 4.118 mg g-1 for H3PO4 and NaOH-activated carbon, respectively, at initial dye concentrations 50,10 mg L-1 respectively, flow rate 13.3 mL min-1, bed height 10 cm, natural pH and temperature of 28-31°C. Total dye removal of 12.04 and 12.90% for H3PO4 and NaOH-activated carbons respectively at initial dye concentrations 50 and 10 mg L-1, respectively bed height 20 cm, flow rate 13.3 m L-1 min, temperature 28-31°C and natural pH were obtained. Experimental results were fitted into the Thomas and Yoon-Nelson Models. The maximum adsorption capacities with respect to the Thomas model (%) were 118.35 mg g-1 for H3PO4-activated carbon and 118.061 mg g-1 for NaOH-activated carbon. For the Yoon-Nelson Model, the maximum adsorption capacities were 1186.959 and 890.359 mg g-1, respectively for the H3PO4 and NaOH-activated carbons.
O.B. Isiuku, M. Horsfall and A.I. Spiff, 2013. Adsorption of Metanil Yellow on Chemically-Activated Carbon in a Packed-Bed Column: Effect of Activation Reagent. Journal of Engineering and Applied Sciences, 8: 282-289.