Continuous biosorption of Malachite Green by Ananus comosus (pineapple) leaf powder in a fixed bed reactor: experimental, breakthrough time and mathematical modeling

A continuous biosorption study was carried out using pineapple leaf powder as biosorbent in a fixed packed bed column for the removal of malachite green (MG) from aqueous solution. The experimental data were fitted to three well-established adsorption models, namely, Adams-Bohart, Bed Depth Service Time and Thomas models. It was observed that the breakthrough time decreased with increasing flow rate and inlet dye concentration while it increased with increase in bed height. The Thomas model described the column biosorption behavior more efficiently than other adsorption model. The present findings suggest that biosorbent has potential capacity as an environment friendly and economical biosorbent for removal of MG.