Modeling and Optimization of Activated Carbon Production and Methylene Blue Adsorption by Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

In this study, the optimization of chemical AC production  parameters from Euphorbia rigida (ER)plant by using KOH has been investigated. The effects of activation temperature, impregnation time, impregnation ratio and activation holding time were optimized by using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).Amount of methylene blue adsorbed by produced activated carbons was evaluated as response of the system.

The optimum conditions for the 300 mg/L methylene blue solution in terms of % methylene blue removal were obtained in the case of 1.5 (wt/wt) impregnation ratio, 48 hours of impregnation time, 700 °C activation temperature and 60 minutes of activation holding time and % 99.9  of MB were removed at these conditions. Consequently, the method used for optimization of experimental parameters that affect active carbon production has been confirmed to be efficient.