Characterization and evaluation of the orange peel adsorptive properties in the dye direct blue 86 removal

Abstract

The use of powdered from orange peel (Citrus sinensis) as low cost adsorbent for the removal of the dye Direct Blue 86, routinely used in the textile industry, was the objective of this work. A porous structure compatible with the adsorption of molecules with dimensions of up to 15 micrometers was verified in the characterization of the orange peel powder (OPP). The OPP answered the ABNT NBR 2133 norm showing lower humidity content of 8%. The ash content indicated few impurities in the material, with a value of (2.79 ± 0.06)%. The methodology used in adsorption experiments did not allow quantification of the dye in the solutions, leading to an investigation of the possible causes. The results showed the D-limonene, orange peel component, as responsible for the non-viability of the methodology employed, so it was not possible to quantify the study through the contact time of variation (adsorption kinetics), pH, temperature and adsorption isotherm by this method.