Modelling and Optimization of Lead Adsorption onto Sugarcane Bagasse Activated Carbon

Abstract

Modeling and optimization of heavy metals adsorption onto activated carbon produced from locally available agricultural residues are important because they save time and resources for laboratory experiments. In this work, sugarcane bagasse was collected from Gaskiya Road in Zaria, Nigeria and carbonized at three different temperatures, 300, 325 and 350 ^oC and then impregnated with 1 M H₃PO₄ at the ratio of 1:2 (1 g of sugarcane bagasse to 2 ml of H₃PO₄). The modeling and optimization were carried using response surface methodology (RSM) out at the lower and upper input variables of carbonization temperatures (300 – 350 ^oC); initial lead concentrations of (10 - 60 mg/l) and adsorbent dosages of (0.2 - 1.0 g) with corresponding responses of: removal efficiency and adsorption capacity. The optimum operating conditions obtained were carbonization temperature of 350 ^oC, initial lead concentration of 60 mg/l and adsorbent dosage of 1 g with the corresponding optimum removal efficiency of 100% and adsorption capacity of 5.9895 mg/g. Similarly, the validated results revealed the percentage errors for the removal efficiency and adsorption capacity to be 0.415 % and 0.241 %, respectively. The study determined that the statistical models developed were good in predicting the responses and the optimum conditions obtained were valid.