Kinetic and Isotherm Studies of Dyes Removal from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption on Low Cost Arachis Hypogea (Groundnut Shell)

This research work aims to prepare powder of Arachis hypogea (groundnut shell) available in local agricultural fields. It is chemically stable and has good mechanical properties and huge specific surface area. In this study, its powder is used as an adsorbent which offers an attractive option to remove dyes like Methylene Blue (MB) and Victoria Blue (VB) from water. Here, the efficiency of the adsorbent (Arachis hypogea) over the adsorbate are also compared. When comparing with conventional biological treatment method, this adsorption system is advantageous with respect to low initial costs, simple structure, less energy intensiveness and non-toxicity and also it is easy to operate and effectively removes organic wastes. Evaluation of several parametric factors like initial dye concentration, contact time, adsorbent dose and thermal effect is assessed, where the result shows, that the concentration of adsorbent improves when the percentage of dye removal is increased, and increases with contact time at low pH. To mathematically describe the adsorption equilibrium, Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models are employed that confirms both mono and heterogeneous adsorption. Pseudo first and second order is considered for the evaluation of the rate factors and the experimental value fitted both. Thus, to remove color and dyes from waste water treatment process, Arachis hypogea substitutes commercial activated carbon.