Evaluation of peanut husk as a novel, low cost biosorbent for the removal of Indosol Orange RSN dye from aqueous solutions: batch and fixed bed studies

The feasibility of using peanut husk biomass for the removal of Indosol Orange RSN dye was explored during this study. Batch experiments were conducted with native, polyethyleneimine (PEI) treated and Na-alginate immobilized biomass. Different important process parameters like pH, contact time, biosorbent dose, initial dye concentration, and temperature were optimized during batch study. Low pH and low biosorbent dose were found to be the feasible conditions for the maximum biosorption of dye. PEI-treated biomass exhibited maximum biosorption capacity (79.5 mg g−1) for Indosol Orange RSN dye. Pseudo-second-order equation generated the best agreement with experimental data. Different equilibrium isotherm models were applied to the experimental data. Langmuir adsorption isotherm model showed better fitness to the experimental results. Biosorption process was found to be exothermic in nature and thermodynamic study was carried out to check out the feasibility of process. Continuous mode study was performed with native peanut husk biomass to optimize the bed height, flow rate, and initial dye concentration for maximum dye removal. The results indicate that maximum dye removal (8.8 mg L−1) was obtained with 3 cm bed height and 1.8 mL min−1 flow rate by using 70 mg L−1 initial dye concentration. Characterization of biosorbent was carried out by determination of point of zero charge, scanning electron microscopy, and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy. The findings revealed that peanut husk biomass has a high biosorption potential, and it can be exploited for the treatment of dye containing waste water.