Eucalyptus leaf powder as an efficient scavenger for Congo red from water: Comprehensive batch and column investigation

• Published in: Separation science and technology Vol. 55; no. 17; pp. 3047 - 3059
• Main Authors: Kumari, Roshni, Mohanta, Jhilirani, Dey, Banashree, Dey, Soumen
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 21.11.2020; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Adsorption; Chemical analysis; Congo red; Cost benefit analysis; Decoloring; Decolorization; Dyes; Economic analysis; Economic models; Eucalyptus; Eucalyptus leaves; Infrared analysis; Kinetics; Leaves; Regeneration; Regeneration (biological); Sorbents; Sustainable materials; throughput volume
• ISSN: 0149-6395; 1520-5754
• DOI: 10.1080/01496395.2019.1670208

Abundantly available Eucalyptus leaf (Eucalyptus globulus) was investigated as promising bio-sorbent for removal of Congo red by batch and column method. Material was characterized by proximate analysis, SEM-EDS, FT-IR, BET, XRD, and chemical analysis. Physico-chemical parameters like contact time, dose, and pH were optimized. Maximum adsorption capacity is 29.68 mg/g. Adsorption follows intraparticle diffusion kinetics (K = 0.211 mg/g/min 0.5 , R 2  = 0.996) and Freundlich isotherm model (R 2  = 0.996). Thermodynamic study revealed a spontaneous and feasible process (ΔG = - 13.06 kJ/mol). Regeneration (82%) with dilute alkali enables multicycle use. Column breakthrough follows Thomas and BDST model. Cost-benefit analysis suggests economically sustainable material for dye decolorization.