Removal of acid red-94 from aqueous solution using sugar cane dust: An agro-industry waste

Abstract

The feasibility for the removal of Acid Red-94 by sugar cane dust, an agro-industry waste, has been investigated as an alternative for costly adsorbents. The effect of various experimental parameters (adsorbate concentration, solution pH and temperature) on removal of Acid Red-94 has been studied under batch mode of operation. Maximum removal upto 98.73% was achieved at a pH value of 2.0 and temperature 19±0.5 °C in case of 10.0mg/l initial dye concentration. Adsorption kinetics has been described by Lagergren equation and adsorption isotherms by classical Langmuir and Freundlich models. The kinetic studies suggest that the rate of uptake of Acid Red-94 on sugar cane dust was mainly diffusion controlled. Various thermodynamic parameters have been calculated and the temperature dependence indicates exothermic nature of adsorption process. The results indicate that sugar cane dust could be used as an eco-friendly and cost-effective adsorbent in the removal of Acid Red-94 from aqueous solution. © 2011 Korean Institute of Chemical Engineers, Seoul, Korea.