Modelling Metribuzin Removal Efficiency Through Adsorption Using Activated Carbon of Olive-waste Cake

Abstract

A simple mathematical model is developed for the prediction of Metribuzin removal efficiency through adsorption using activated carbon of olive-waste cake for any combination of input conditions. Based on earlier experimental results, factors from three independent variables (pH, initial Metribuzin concentration and adsorbent dose concentration) were incorporated in the model. All the factors are multiplied to derive a combined diminishing factor, which is multiplied with maximum achievable removal efficiency. It is found that although the model results are having good correlation (0.92) with the experimental results, those are slightly away from the ideal line. Through the introduction of an adjustment factor, model predictions are closely matching with the measured values having a correlation coefficient of 0.96. The primary model predicted results are having standard errors as RMSE = 6.34, MAE = 5.99 and RAE = 0.07, whereas the same error statistics of the adjusted model are 1.97, 1.71 and 0.01, respectively. Such modelling technique will predict removal efficiency for any combination of input parameters, which at times are required to be changed for other constraints.