Papita Das Saha

Batch and continuous (fixed-bed column) biosorption of crystal violet by Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) leaf powder.

In this study, batch and fixed-bed column experiments were performed to investigate the biosorption potential of Artocarpus heterophyllus (jackfruit) leaf powder (JLP) to remove crystal violet (CV) from aqueous solutions. Batch biosorption studies were carried out as a function of solution pH, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature. The biosorption equilibrium data showed excellent fit to the Langmuir isotherm model with maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of 43.39 mg g(-1) at pH 7.0, initial dye concentration=50 mg L(-1), temperature=293 K and contact time=120 min. According to Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherm model, biosorption of CV by JLP was chemisorption. The biosorption kinetics followed the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Thermodynamic analysis revealed that biosorption of CV from aqueous solution by JLP was a spontaneous and exothermic process. In order to ascertain the practical applicability of the biosorbent, fixed-bed column studies were also performed. The breakthrough time increased with increasing bed height and decreased with increasing flow rate. The Thomas model as well as the BDST model showed good agreement with the experimental results at all the process parameters studied. It can be concluded that JLP is a promising biosorbent for removal of CV from aqueous solutions.

Biosorption of Basic Green 4 from aqueous solution by Ananas comosus (pineapple) leaf powder.

Biosorption characteristics of Ananas comosus (pineapple) leaf powder was investigated for decolorization of Basic Green 4 (BG 4), a cationic dye from its aqueous solutions employing a batch experimental set-up. Parameters that influence the sorption process such as pH, biosorbent dosage, contact time, initial dye concentration and temperature were systematically studied. The optimum conditions for removal of BG 4 were found to be pH 9.0, contact time=150 min, biosorbent dosage=5.0 g L(-1), initial dye concentration=50 mg L(-1). The temperature had a strong influence on the biosorption process. Further, the biosorbent was characterized by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and Brunauer, Emmett, Teller (BET) surface area and pore size analysis. Experimental biosorption data were modeled by Langmuir, Freundlich and Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) isotherms. The biosorption process followed the Langmuir isotherm model with high coefficients of correlation (R(2)>0.99) at different temperatures. The pseudo second order kinetic model fitted well in correlation to the experimental results. Activation energy of the biosorption process (E(a)) was found to be 45.79 kJ mol(-1) by using the Arrhenius equation, indicating chemisorption nature of BG 4 sorption onto pineapple leaf powder. Thermodynamic parameters suggest that the biosorption process is spontaneous and exothermic in nature. Overall, the present findings suggest that this environmentally friendly, efficient and low-cost biosorbent may be useful for the removal of BG 4 from aqueous media.

Biosorption of Direct Red 28 (Congo Red) from Aqueous Solutions by Eggshells: Batch and Column Studies

The feasibility of using eggshells as a low-cost biosorbent for the removal of Direct Red 28 (DR 28) from aqueous solutions was studied in batch and dynamic flow modes of operation. The effect of biosorption process variables such as particle size, solution pH, initial dye concentration, contact time, temperature, feed flow rate, and bed height were investigated. Both the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models exhibited excellent fit to the equilibrium biosorption data. Optimum pH (6.0), particle size (<250 µm), initial dye concentration (50 mg g−1), temperature (313 K), and contact time (240 min) gave maximum monolayer biosorption capacity of 69.45 mg g−1 which was higher than those of many sorbent materials. Pseudo-second-order kinetic model depicted the biosorption kinetics accurately. Thermodynamic study confirmed the spontaneous and endothermic nature of the biosorption process. Breakthrough time increased with increase in the bed height but decreased with increase in flow rate. Overall, batch and continuous mode data suggest the applicability of eggshells as an environment friendly and efficient biosorbent for removal of DR 28 from aqueous media.

Biosorption kinetics, thermodynamics and isosteric heat of sorption of Cu(II) onto Tamarindus indica seed powder

Biosorption of Cu(II) by Tamarindus indica seed powder (TSP) was investigated as a function of temperature in a batch system. The Cu(II) biosorption potential of TSP increased with increasing temperature. The rate of the biosorption process followed pseudo second-order kinetics while the sorption equilibrium data well fitted to the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models. The maximum monolayer Cu(II) biosorption capacity increased from 82.97 mg g(-1) at 303 K to 133.24 mg g(-1) at 333 K. Thermodynamic study showed spontaneous and endothermic nature of the sorption process. Isosteric heat of sorption, determined using the Clausius-Clapeyron equation increased with increase in surface loading showing its strong dependence on surface coverage. The biosorbent was characterized by scanning electron microscopy (SEM), surface area and porosity analyzer, X-ray diffraction (XRD) spectrum and Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy. The results of FTIR analysis of unloaded and Cu(II)-loaded TSP revealed that -NH(2), -OH, -C=O and C-O functional groups on the biosorbent surface were involved in the biosorption process. The present study suggests that TSP can be used as a potential, alternative, low-cost biosorbent for removal of Cu(II) ions from aqueous media.

Artificial neural network (ANN) modeling of adsorption of methylene blue by NaOH-modified rice husk in a fixed-bed column system

In this study, rice husk was modified with NaOH and used as adsorbent for dynamic adsorption of methylene blue (MB) from aqueous solutions. Continuous removal of MB from aqueous solutions was studied in a laboratory scale fixed-bed column packed with NaOH-modified rice husk (NMRH). Effect of different flow rates and bed heights on the column breakthrough performance was investigated. In order to determine the most suitable model for describing the adsorption kinetics of MB in the fixed-bed column system, the bed depth service time (BDST) model as well as the Thomas model was fitted to the experimental data. An artificial neural network (ANN)-based model was also developed for describing the dynamic dye adsorption process. An extensive error analysis was carried out between experimental data and data predicted by the models by using the following error functions: correlation coefficient (R2), average relative error, sum of the absolute error and Chi-square statistic test (χ2). Results show that with increasing bed height and decreasing flow rate, the breakthrough time was delayed. All the error functions yielded minimum values for the ANN model than the traditional models (BDST and Thomas), suggesting that the ANN model is the most suitable model to describe the fixed-bed adsorption of MB by NMRH. It is also more rational and reliable to interpret dynamic dye adsorption data through a process of ANN architecture.

Scale-up of a dye adsorption process using chemically modified rice husk: optimization using response surface methodology

Abstract This article extends our previous study on malachite green (MG) adsorption using chemically modified rice husk at shake flask level, by investigating the scale up of the dye adsorption process to a laboratory level stirred batch reactor. Response surface methodology (RSM) was employed to investigate the effect of different operating conditions on the uptake of MG. A two level three factor (23) full factorial central composite design (CCD) with the help of Design Expert Version 7.1.6 (Stat Ease, USA) was used for the optimization of the adsorption process and to evaluate the effects and interactions of process variables: initial solution pH (4.0–10.0), initial dye concentration (100–500 mg/l), and adsorbent dose (10–50 g/l). Multiple response optimization was applied to the experimental data to discover the optimal conditions for a set of response, simultaneously, by using a desirability function. The optimum conditions for MG adsorption were found to be 8.30, 500 mg/l and 29.31 g/l respectively, ...

Batch removal of chromium (VI) from aqueous solutions using wheat shell as adsorbent: process optimization using response surface methodology

Abstract The biosorption potential of wheat (Triticum aestivum) shells to remove hexavalent Chromium (Cr+6) ions from aqueous solutions was investigated in batch mode experiments. The equilibrium adsorption level was determined and it was observed that equilibrium adsorption of chromium was function of the solution contact time and initial metal concentration. The effect of solution pH on biosorption was also studied. From experimental results it was observed that the biosorptive capacity of the shell was dependent on the pH and initial Cr (VI) ions concentration. The Freundlich and Langmuir constants for biosorption of chromium (VI) on wheat shells were determined and it was observed that the adsorption data fi t well with the Langmuir isotherm model. To optimization of this process response surface methodology (RSM) was utilized. The regression equation was obtained using Design Expert 7.0 software. Predicted values thus obtained were closed to experimental value indicating suitability of the model.

Comparative Analysis of Linear and Nonlinear Methods of Estimating the Pseudo-Second-Order Kinetic Parameters for Sorption of Malachite Green onto Pretreated Rice Husk

ABSTRACT Batch sorption experiments were carried out for removal of malachite green from aqueous solution using pretreated rice husk. The equilibrium kinetic data were analyzed using pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A comparison between linear and nonlinear methods of estimating the kinetic parameters was carried out. Four pseudo-second-order kinetic linear equations were discussed. The coefficient of determination (r 2) and chi-square (χ2) test were employed as error analysis methods to determine the best-fitting equation. The results show that nonlinear method is a better alternative to obtain the kinetic parameters. In addition, the chi-square test was a better method to determine the best-fitting model.

Artificial neural network (ANN) modeling of dynamic adsorption of crystal violet from aqueous solution using citric-acid-modified rice (Oryza sativa) straw as adsorbent

Rice straw, an abundant, lignocellulosic agricultural residue worldwide, was thermochemically modified with citric acid to develop a biodegradable cationic adsorbent. The morphological and chemical characteristics of rice straw and acid-modified rice straw were investigated by scanning electron microscopy, surface area, and porosity analysis by the BET (Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller) nitrogen adsorption method and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The modification process leads to the increase in the specific surface area and pore size of rice straw. In order to investigate the application potential of the prepared adsorbent to remove a cationic dye (Crystal violet) from its aqueous solution, a continuous adsorption study was carried out in a laboratory scale fixed-bed column packed with acid-modified rice straw. Effect of different flow rates and bed heights on the column breakthrough performance was investigated. Results show that with increasing bed height and decreasing flow rate, the breakthrough time was delayed. In order to determine the most suitable model for describing the adsorption kinetics of Crystal violet in the fixed-bed column system, the Bed Depth Service Time model as well as the Thomas model was fitted to the experimental data. An artificial neural network (ANN) based model for determining the dye concentration in the column effluent was also developed. An extensive error analysis was carried out between experimental data and data predicted by the models using the following error functions: correlation coefficient (R2), average relative error (ARE), sum of the absolute error (SAE), and χ2 statistic test. Based on the values of the error functions, the ANN model was most appropriate for describing the dynamic dye adsorption process.

Pseudo-Second-Order Kinetic Model for Biosorption of Methylene Blue onto Tamarind Fruit Shell: Comparison of Linear and Nonlinear Methods

ABSTRACT In this study, the sorption of methylene blue, a basic dye, onto tamarind fruit shell was studied by performing batch kinetic sorption experiments. The equilibrium kinetic data were analyzed using the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. A comparison between linear least squares method and nonlinear regression method of estimating the kinetic parameters was examined. Four pseudo-second-order kinetic linear equations were discussed. The coefficient of determination (r 2), and the chi-square (χ2) test were employed as error analysis methods to determine the best-fitting equation. Kinetic parameters obtained from four kinetic linear equations using the linear method differed but they were the same when nonlinear method was used. Present investigation showed that by linear method a Type 1 expression very well represent the kinetic uptake of methylene blue onto tamarind fruit shell. Linear method was found to check only the hypothesis instead of verifying the kinetic model. Nonlinear regression method was found to be the more appropriate method to determine the rate kinetic parameters.