Effectiveness of Quercus Branti Activated Carbon in Removal of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solutions

Background & Aims of the Study: Dyes are one of the most contaminants in textile industrial wastewater that they are often carcinogenic, mutagenic and non-degradable. Therefore, with regard to environmental aspects, their removal from effluents is very essential. The purpose of this study was the perception of adsorption process and promotion of an economic technology for colored wastewater treatment. Therefore, activated carbon from Oak fruit bark was used as an effective and economic adsorbent. Materials & Methods: This study was performed at laboratory scale and batch system. At present study, the adsorbent surface properties was evaluated by use of the (FT-IR) test and scanning electronic microscope (SEM). Also, effect of various operating parameters such as pH, contact time, adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration and temperature on dye removal from synthetic wastewater were studied. Results: In this study, maximum removal efficiency of methylene blue were achieved at optimal pH=6, reaction time 180 minutes, and adsorbent dose 2 gl-1. Methylene blue removal efficiency with initial concentration of 100 mg.l-1 was 91.08%. Conclusions: According to results, it was cleared that : Quercus branti activated carbon can be used as an effective and economic adsorbent in waste water treatment processes.