OPTIMIZATION BY FULL FACTORIAL DESIGN OF LEAD ADSORPTION CONDITIONS ON ACTIVATED CARBONS FROM COCONUT SHELLS

Adsorption of heavy metals on activated carbons is influenced by various factors that must be controlled. This study investigates the optimal conditions for removal lead on activated carbon using experimental designs. Thus, influence of three parameters (pH, lead concentration and activated carbon) on adsorption rate was studied. Activated carbons was prepared from coconuts shells of C?te d?Ivoire by using chemical activation method. pH, lead concentration and coal nature are the factors considered in the two-level complete factorial plan used for optimization. values of lead elimination rate are between 87 % and 96 % thus indicating pertinence of choice of the experimental domain. Moreover, two of the three factors; pH and lead concentration have a significant influence on the lead removal rate. Also, interactions between carbon type and lead concentration and those between pH and concentration have a significant influence on adsorption. Thus, the optimal adsorption conditions of 50 mL of lead at 150 mg / L of concentration are obtained with 0.3 g of activated carbon, at pH 6 and at a temperature of 25 ? C. Experimental designs therefore make it possible to optimize lead removal conditions from wastewater.