Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous System Using Tobacco Stems Biomass: Kinetics, Mechanism and Single-Stage Adsorber Design

This study investigated the technical feasibility of using the tobacco stems biomass (TSB), as a low-cost novel adsorbent for removal of methylene blue (MB) from water. TSB was characterized by pH zero-point-charge (pH(ZPC)) and FTIR analysis. Batch adsorption studies were performed to evaluate process variables, kinetics and equilibrium of MB adsorption. Results showed that MB removal was higher at pH values >pH(ZPC) of adsorbent, and for particle size < 0.5 mm. The adsorption kinetics followed pseudo-second order (k(2) = 0.008 to 0.001 g mg(-1) min(-1)), with intraparticle diffusion as one of the rate limiting steps. The Langmuir isotherm with maximum capacity of 169.5 mg g(-1) was statistically found a best fit model. A single stage batch adsorber was designed and quantity of TSB required for treating 1000-10,000 L of stained water was determined. The results imply that the TSB with could be a promising alternative adsorbent for remediation of cationic dye bearing wastewater. (c) 2017 American Institute of Chemical Engineers