THE USE OF SEED PODS FROM ALBIZIA LEBBEK FOR THE REMOVAL OF ALKYL BENZENE SULFONATES FROM AQUEOUS-SOLUTION

The paper presents the results of a preliminaly investigation into the use of Albizia lebbek seed pods as a biosorbent for the removal of li near alkyl benzene sulphonate (LAS) from aqueous solution. It also com pares the adsorption characteristics with those of an algal residue. T he results showed that at 25 degrees C, the greatest specific adsorpti on (mg/g) was achieved at low (ca 3) pH values. The results also showe d that there was a good compliance with both the Langmuir and the Freu ndlich equations. Based on the Langmuir equation, the maximum adsorpti on capacity was 25.43 mg/g. An examination of the kinetics of the adso rption showed that the overall process could be described by the Lager gren equation and that the rate constant (K) increased with the initia l concentration of the LAS (C-0). An analysis based on the K/C-0 relat ionship suggested that at C-0 values of less than 58 mg/litre the Albi zia lebbek would be a more appropriate material than the algal residue . Intraparticulate diffusion rates were also measured and were also fo und to increase with C-0.