Removal of Organic Dye from Aqueous Solution by Adsorption onSawdust

Sawdust was evaluated for its ability to remove organic dye from aqueous solution and
was found to be an effective adsorbent for clarification of sometextile dyes. A thorough
characteristics study of sawdust onorganic dye adsorption was carried out. The effect of
various experimental parameters such as contact time, initial dye concentration, initial
pH, adsorbent dose and particle size ofadsorbent was investigated by following a batch
adsorption technique. Results show that it can remove 91% of color within two hours of
operation without any pretreatment. The Methylene Blue was found to be effectively
decolorized (89%-93%) by the optimum dose of 2.0g-5.0g and at particle size of 1000
um. The percentage removal of dye increased with the decrease in initial dye
concentration, particle size adsorbent and increase incontact time, pH ofthe dye solution
and dose of adsorbent. An initial pH in the range of 5.0-7.0 was effective for the dye
removal by the adsorbent. The adsorption system studied was proved to fit the Freundlich
Isotherm model. By identifying the adsorption isotherm, it will be easier to predict the
nature of sawdust acting as an adsorbent. The sawdust adsorbent was shown to be a
promising material for removal oforganic dye from aqueous solution.