Biosorption of hazardous textile dyes from aqueous solutions by hen feathers: Batch and column studies

The biosorption potential of hen feathers (HFs) to remove hazardous textile dyes, namely congo red (CR) and crystal violet (CV), from their aqueous solutions was investigated in batch and dynamic flow modes of operation. The effect of biosorption process parameters such as solution pH, initial dye concentration, temperature, feed flow rate and bed height was studied. Biosorption equilibrium data were well described by the Langmuir isotherm model. Kinetic studies at different temperatures showed that the rate of biosorption followed the pseudo second-order kinetics well. A thermodynamic study showed that biosorption of both CR and CV was spontaneous and endothermic. Breakthrough time increased with increase in bed height but decreased with increase in flow rate. The Thomas model showed good agreement with the dynamic flow experimental data. Overall, the results suggest the applicability of HFs as an efficient biosorbent for removal of carcinogenic textile dyes from aqueous media.