The potential application of activated carbon from sewage sludge to organic dyes removal

The objective of this research work was to study the potential application of activated carbon from sewage sludge to organic dye removal. Methylene bl ue and crystal violet were the two dyes investigated in the present study. Three activated carbons were produced from the exclusive sewage sludge (ref erred to as DS), the sludge with the additive of coconut husk (DC) and slud ge with the additive of peanut shell (DP) respectively. They were character ized by their surface area and porosity and their surface chemistry structu re. Adsorption studies were performed by the batch technique to obtain kine tic and equilibrium data. The results show that the three sludge derived ac tivated carbons had a developed porosity and marked content of surface func tional groups. They exhibited a rapid three-stage adsorption process for bo th methylene blue and crystal violet. Their adsorption capacities for the t wo dyes were high, the carbon DP performed best in the adsorption whereas t he carbon DC performed worst. It is therefore concluded that the activated carbons made from sewage sludge and its mixtures are promising for dye remo val from aqueous streams.