Methylene Blue Removal from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on Archidendron jiringa Seed Shells

Abstract

A study of batch and column adsorption using A. jiringa seed shell as a natural adsorbent to remove methylene blue from aqueous solution was carried out. This study aimed to determine the effectiveness of A. jiringa seed shell in removing methylene blue as well as to determine the isotherm and adsorption kinetics of methylene blue by A. jiringa seed shells. Parameters in the batch study showed optimum pH for adsorption was at pH 7 with the optimum contact time of 60 minutes whereas the adsorbent dose obtained was 12 g/l. The percentage removal of methylene blue increased with elevated temperature while the ionic strength reduced the adsorption capacity in the dye uptake. Langmuir isotherm was suitable for this study rather than Freundlich model due to the higher regression value: R2 = 0.9999. The most suitable kinetic model for this study was the pseudo second order, compared to pseudo first order, Elovich and intra particle with the value of regression: R2 = 0.9158. This column adsorption study used several different flow rates: 15 mL/min, 18 mL/min, 21 mL/min, 24 mL/min and 27 mL/min for 75 minutes long. The breakthrough time was lesser: 10 minutes in higher flow rates (24 mL/min and 27 mL/min), which indicated the shorter time for the adsorbent to be saturated. Thomas and Yoon & Nelson’s models were proven to be more suitable compared to Bohart-Adams model for the fixed bed adsorption study.