Removal of rhodamine B, fast green, and methylene blue from wastewater using red mud, an aluminum industry waste

Successful removal of rhodamine B, fast green, and methylene blue from wastewater was achieved using red mud, an aluminum industry waste. The percentage removals of rhodamine B, fast green, and methylene blue on this adsorbent were 92.5, 94.0, and 75.0, respectively. Studies were conducted to delineate the effects of initial absorbate concentration, pH, adsorbent dose, contact time, temperature, and adsorbent particle size. Up to 95-97% removals of rhodamine B, fast green, and methylene blue were achieved in column experiments at a flow rate of 0.5 mL/min. The adsorption was found to be exothermic in nature. The developed system is very useful, rapid, and reproducible for the removal of the three dyes.