Optimization of Lead Ion Removal Using Sugarcane Bagasse as an Adsorbent

Abstract

The study describes the adsorption of Lead ion from aqueous solution using Sugarcane bagasse. Bagasse is a fibrous residue from Sugar mills, is not easily biodegradable posing disposal challenges. Given its abundance in the sugar producing regions of Nigeria, there is continued need to find other alternative uses. The objective of this study was to investigate the potential use of sugarcane bagasse-based adsorbents for removing Pb, from contaminant water. Sugarcane bagasse was used for removal of Pb ion from aqueous solutions as an efficient adsorbent. The response surface methodology (RSM) was applied for experimental design of adsorption from aqueous solutions. The effect of three independent variables including contact time, Adsorbent dosage and Pb ion concentration on the percentage removal (R (%) was studied. For this purpose, 13 runs of experiments that was designed by the Design–Expert software were performed. The optimum conditions for contact time, Adsorbent dosage and Pb ion concentration were found as 4.5hrs, 8g and 100ppm, respectively. At these conditions, percentage removal was to be 99.2%. It is evident that bagasse-based adsorbents can effectively remove Pb, from contaminated water. It is therefore recommended that the bagasse-based adsorbents can be utilized to remove Pb from contaminated water but more studies need to be conducted with actual contaminated water from various sources to determine their efficacy as adsorbents.