Comparative Evaluation of Activated Carbon with Natural Adsorbents for the Decolorisation of Dye Solution

Abstract

Comparative evaluation or low cost and biodegradable naturally occurring adsorbents or animal (chitin) and plant origin (radish leaves) as potential adsorbent is made against granular activated carbon for the removal of reactive dye Remazol Brilliant Violet SR from aqueous solution. The variables studied are pH, initial dye concentration/ adsorbent concentration ratio, temperature, and contact time. All variables studied have significant influence on the adsorption process at the level of 1-3 per cent probability. The order being initial dye concentration > adsorbent concentration > initial pH > temperature.

Almost 100 per cent removal can be achieved for 20 ppm dye at optimum parameters of 2.5 pH and adsorbent dose of 1.2g/L at 60-70°C with 1h stirring.