Batch Adsorption Study of Methylene Blue in Aqueous Solution using Activated Carbons from Rice Husk and Coconut Shell

The removal efficiency of activated carbons prepared from rice husk and coconut shell in the adsorption of methylene blue (azo dye) from the synthetic industrial wastewater was investigated in a batch system. Rice husk and coconut shell were both processed into activated carbon by carbonizing at 600 oC and activated with 3.0 M H3PO4 at 80 oC for 3h. Synthetic solutions of methylene blue were prepared and the adsorption process was carried out by varying initial, methylene blue concentration, adsorbent dosage, and contact. The results showed that higher values of adsorbent dosage and contact time favored the adsorption of methylene blue from the simulated waste water. Activated carbon from coconut shell proved a better adsorbent compared to the activated carbon obtained from rice husk as coconut shell has the highest percentage removal for methylene blue.