Ijaret 06 10_012

http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/index.asp 76 editor@iaeme.com
International Journal of Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology
(IJARET)
Volume 6, Issue 10, Oct 2015, pp. 76-85, Article ID: IJARET_06_10_012
Available online at
http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/issues.asp?JType=IJARET&VType=6&IType=10
ISSN Print: 0976-6480 and ISSN Online: 0976-6499
© IAEME Publication
___________________________________________________________________________
ELIMINATION OF METHYLENE BLUE
FROM AQUEOUS SOLUTION USING
BIOSORBENTS UNDER STIRRING AND
STAGNANT CONDITIONS
R. Karthik1&2
, Angelin C Pushpam2
, M.C. Vanitha2&3
and V. Rekha1
1
School of Bio Sciences and Technology, VIT University,
Vellore – 632014, Tamil Nadu, India
2
Department of Marine Biotechnology, AMET University (U/S 3 of UGC Act 1956),
Kanathur, Chennai – 603112, Tamil Nadu, India
3
Centre for Marine Bioprospecting, AMET University (U/S 3 of UGC Act 1956),
Kanathur, Chennai – 603112, Tamil Nadu, India
ABSTRACT
Water pollution has become a huge problem worldwide, mostly by the
discharge of industrial effluents to the aquatic environment. The industries
such as textile, leather, paper, printing and plastic are the major industries
discharging the wastewaters with highly toxic substances which influence the
quality of soil and water environments. Dyes are the major toxic substances in
all industrial wastewater and it is highly carcinogenic to human beings and
other soil and water living things. The physical, chemical and biological
methods for treating effluents take time and to be cost effective, the use of
cheap and ecofriendly absorbents are the alternatives to solve this problem.
Thus the present study was carried out to check the effect of three different low
cost absorbents such as, banana fiber, coconut fiber and Sawdust in the
removal of Methylene Blue dye from water in different concentration batch,
fed batch and continuous process at both stirring and stagnant conditions. In
stirring condition sawdust absorbed 99%, banana fibre, 98 %, coconut fibre,
99.5% of the dye and in stagnant condition sawdust absorbed 99.5%, banana
fibre, 99% and coconut fibre, 98.5% of Methylene Blue dye effectively from
water. Three kinds of sawdust used for absorption separately and also in
mixed condition in which individual sawdust provided 99% of dye absorption
in both condition but mixed sawdust afford lesser absorption (98%).
Continuous condition absorbs 99% of dye than batch (98%) and fed batch
condition (98.5%) finally mixed sorbent were used for dye absorption on
different concentration of dye (0.1, 0.2, 0.3, 0.4 mg/ml). Lengthy fibre requires
48 hrs for 99.5% removal of dye. Among all the parameter studies continuous

Elimination of Methylene Blue From Aqueous Solution Using Biosorbents Under Stirring and
Stagnant Conditions
system provided the best absorption of Methylene blue in both stirring and
stagnant condition. The study clearly indicates that the mixed absorbent shows
more absorption than the individual absorbents.
Key words: Methylene Blue, Absorption, Biosorbents, Coconut fibre, Banana
fibre, Sawdust
Cite this Article: R Karthik, Angelin C Pushpam, and M. C. Vanitha and D.
Yuvaraj. Elimination of Methylene Blue from Aqueous Solution Using
Biosorbents under Stirring and Stagnant Conditions. International Journal of
Advanced Research in Engineering and Technology, 6(10), 2015, pp. 76-85.
http://www.iaeme.com/IJARET/issues.asp?JType=IJARET&VType=6&IType=10
1. INTRODUCTION
Dyes are intensely coloured complex organic compounds used to color textiles,
leather, paper, food substances and other materials. The most significant industrial use
of dye is in textile dyeing. Increased usage of dyes in the industries is sequentially
associated with the release of processed dye wastes in water resources. There are
more than 100,000 dyes commercially available worldwide with over 7 x 105
of dyes
produced and used annually in several industries including textile, leather, paper,
cosmetics, printing and plastics (Grag et al., 2004). Discharging the effluents from
these industries without any treatment to the aquatic environment are the principal
sources of aqueous contamination. Among these various industries, textile ranks first
in usage of dye and they are designed to be chemically and photolytically stable, they
are highly resistant in natural environment. The dyes are potent to induce toxological
problems in cardiovascular dermatologic, gastrointestinal, genito-urinary,
hematologic and central nervous system (Harvey and keitt, 1983). Many dyes are
also found to be mutagenic, carcinogenic and are known to produce allergic reactions
and prevent oxygen binding. Decolourization, or other treatments such as, physical,
chemical or biological treatments for the removal of dyes from industrial effluents is a
very important aspect before discharge (Sarioglu and Atay, 2006).The convectional
biological treatment process is not very effective in treating dyes from wastewater,
due to low biodegradation of dyes, and the physical or chemical processes are also
very expensive and could not be effectively used to treat the wide range of dyes from
wastewater (Grag et al., 2003).
Nowadays absorption process is becoming an alternative method in many
industries for the removal of toxic chemicals like dyes from wastewater (Urbain et al.,
2013). Generally activated carbon is commonly used as a absorbent for dye removal
but it is very expensive (Jireker et al., 2013). So, there is an urgent need and demand
in absorption technique to prepare a cheap, non-toxic, and locally available absorbents
for a successful application in wastewater treatment. Already some biodegradable
absorbents like agricultural bio-materials have received significant attention for dye
removal from wastewaters with the most economical and effective option. Bio-
material absorbents like Bagasse (Urbain et al., 2013), Rice Husk (Dar et al., 2013),
Coconut Coir (Dar et al., 2012), Tea Leaves & cowdung (Vogel, 1969), Wool Fiber
and Cotton Fiber (Rasheed Khan et al, 2005) Chitosan (Juang et al, 1996), Mahogany
Sawdust (Namasivayam et al,1992b), Parthenium Hysterophorus (Rajeshwarisivaraj
et al, 2002), Neem Husk (Alau et al, 2010), Silk Cotton Hull (Kadirvelu et al, 2003),
Gypsum (Muhammad Rauf et al, 2009), Tuberose Sticks (Ahsan habib et al, 2006),
Tamarind Fruit Shell (Papita Saha, 2010) have been found to be highly effective,
cheap and biologically safe absorbents. Keeping this in view, the present study was

R. Karthik, Angelin C Pushpam, M.C. Vanitha and V. Rekha
carried out to check the effect of coconut fiber, banana fiber and sawdust in removal
of Methylene Blue dye from water at different concentration in stirring and stagnant
conditions.
2. MATERIALS AND METHODS
2.1. Preparation of the Biosorbents
The biosorbents used in this study such as, coconut fibre, banana fibre and sawdust
were collected from nearby area of Vellore District, Tamil Nadu, India. It is washed,
grinded and dried at low temperature (<105˚C) for 48 hrs to remove moisture content.
The materials were soaked overnight in water to remove the soluble particles and are
used throughout the experiments as biosorbents.
2.2. Preparation of Dye solution
In this study, dye solution was prepared by mixing 1g of Methylene Blue in 200 ml
distilled water, which is approximately 5mg/ml (Stock Solution). 0.10mg/ml
concentration of dye is prepared by mixing 2ml of stock + 198ml distil water (This
concentration is used throughout the study). The initial and treated dye concentration
was determined by using absorbance values measured before and after the treatment,
at 700nm using calorimeter. Experiments were carried out at initial pH value of 6.5
and were controlled by addition of hydrochloric acid.
2.3. Screening of Biosorbents
The screening of biosorbents is performed to check which method is better. It was
performed in Stirring and Stagnant states.
(a) Stirring Method
The stirring method is performed with 4% of each biosorbent namely sawdust, banana
fiber and coconut fiber added to the dye solution separately for about 1 hour in a
shaker. The samples were taken at every 15 minutes time intervals and the OD values
were noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.
(b) Stagnant Method
The stagnant method is performed with 4% of each biosorbent namely sawdust,
banana fiber and coconut fiber added in the dye solution separately for about 1 hour
without shaking. The samples were taken at every 15 minutes time intervals and the
OD values were noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.
2.4. Different sawdust analysis
Three different trees sawdust such as, Teak, Patak and Plywood (4%) was added in
the dye solution separately for about 1 hour at stirring condition and the samples were
randomly collected from all experiments at every 15 minutes and the OD values were
noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.
2.5. Mixed sawdust analysis
All the three different sawdust biosorbents (4%) was added (1:1:1) in the dye solution
for about 1 hour at both stirring and stagnant condition and the samples were
randomly collected from the experiment at every 15 minutes and the OD values were
noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.

Stagnant Conditions
2.6. Batch- Fed batch- Continuous process comparison
(a). Batch process
The sawdust (4%) was added as a whole in the dye solution for about 1 hour at
stirring condition and the samples were randomly collected from the experiment at
every 15 minutes and the OD values were noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.
(b). Fed - Batch process
The sawdust, about 1%, was added at every 15minutes intervals without removing the
existing sawdust from the solution and the experiment was continued for about 1 hour
at stirring condition and the samples were randomly collected from the experiment at
(c). Continuous process
The sawdust, about 1%, was added at every 15minutes intervals by removing the
existing sawdust from the solution and the experiment was continued for about 1 hour
at stirring condition and the samples were randomly collected from the experiment at
3. DIFFERENT DYE CONCENTRATION ANALYSIS
Different concentration of dye solutions such as 0.20g/l, 0.30g/l and 0.40g/l was
prepared from the stock solution and 1% of sawdust was added at every 15minutes
time intervals and the experiment was continued for about 1 hour at stirring condition
and the samples were randomly collected from the experiment at every 15 minutes
and the OD values were noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.
4. LENGTHY FIBRE ANALYSIS
The lengthy coconut fibres (2%) were added to the dye solution by continuous
process in stagnant state for 48 hours. The samples were taken at the end of 24th hour
and 48th hour and the OD values for corresponding samples were noted by using
calorimeter at 700nm.
5. SPREAD METHOD ANALYSIS
The sawdust (2%) was spread over the bottom of the dye solution by continuous
process in stagnant state for 48 hours. The samples were taken at the end of 24th hour
and 48th hour and the OD values for corresponding samples were noted by using
calorimeter at 700nm.
6. MIXED BIOSORBENT TECHNOLOGY
The constituents of mixed biosorbent were determined by the above results and the
mixed biosorbent is employed by continuous process at stirring condition. In this 1%
of sawdust was added and after 15minutes, the sample was taken and sawdust is
removed. Then 0.5% of banana fiber was added and at the 20th
minute (after 5
minutes of adding banana fiber) the sample was taken and banana fiber was removed.
Then 0.5% of coconut fiber was added and at the 30th
minute (after 10minutes of
adding coconut fiber) sample was taken and coconut fiber was removed. Then again
0.5% of coconut fiber was added and at the 45th
minute (after 15minutes of adding
coconut fiber) sample was taken and coconut fiber was removed. The samples were

taken at the end of 24th hour and 48th hour and the OD values for corresponding
samples were noted by using calorimeter at 700nm.
7. DESORPTION
This desorption process is carried out by using 1% NaOH solution in the used
biosorbents for 24hours to regenerate the dye for reuse.
8. RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS
The absorption process is one of the effective methods for removal of dyes from
industrial effluents. The use of commercially available and cheaper waste biosorbents
as absorbents in the removal of dyes from wastewater as an emerging need in
bioremediation technology is demonstrated. Hence, this present study as investigated
the effect of commercially available and cheaper biosorbents such as, sawdust,
coconut fibre and banana fibre in Methylene blue dye removal. All the three obtained
biosorbents were screened by performing the analysis in stirring and stagnant
conditions to check the better condition for dye removal. In this study, the stirring
condition sawdust absorbed about 99%, coconut fiber absorbed about 99.5%, and
banana fiber absorbed about 98% . In stagnant condition, sawdust absorbed about
99.5%, coconut absorbed about 98.5% and banana fiber absorbed about 99% . A
similar result was observed in absorption of Methylene Blue (MB) by using banana
stalk waste (Hameed et al., 2007) pomelo (C. grandis) peel (Wang and Li, 2007) and
castor seed shell (Ni et al., 2007). When analyzing the different sawdust (Such as,
Teak, Patak and Plywood) there was a slight difference initially (Fig 3), but at the end
of 1 hour all the three sawdust absorbed 99 to 99.5% of dye from water.
Figure 1 Screening of biosorbents condition at stirring condition
Figure 2 Screening of biosorbents at stagnant

Stagnant Conditions
Figure 3 Screening of different sawdust at stirring condition
Figure 4 Mixed sawdust analysis
Figure 5 Batch- Fed batch- Continuous process comparison
Figure 6 Different dye concentration analysis

Figure 7 Lengthy fibre analysis
Figure 8 Spread Method analysis
Figure 9 Mixed Biosorbent analysis
Figure 10 Desorption
0.00%
100.00%
24h 24h 24h
Sawdust Banana
Fiber
Coconut
Fiber

Stagnant Conditions
The availability of a particular saw dust is very difficult to obtain in large scale.
So, the combination of all the three sawdust was performed with 4% sorbent as the
mixed saw dust availability is more when compared to the individual availability and
it was also carried out in both stirring and stagnant conditions (Fig 4). In stirring
condition 98.5% and in stagnant condition 95% of absorption was achieved by mixed
sawdust at after 1 hour. Among the batch, fed – batch and continuous absorption
process carried out, the dye was absorbed 98.5%, 99% and 99.5% respectively. So, It
was confirmed that the continuous process found more percentage of dye removal
than the other in the prescribed time (Fig 5). Sureshkumar and Namasivayam, 2008
reported the absorption of Methylene blue by wheat shells by 130 minutes and
Ofomaja and Ho, 2007 reported the absorption by phoenix trees leaves by 130
minutes. Comparing to them the results of our study proved the maximum (99.5%)
absorption of Methylene blue from water by the three low cost biosorbents within 60
minutes.
In order to test the efficiency of absorption at higher concentrations, a dye solution
of 0.20g/l, 0.30g/l and 0.40g/l were prepared and the effect of sawdust in removing
dye was noticed the concentrations achieved 99.5%, 99.5%, 99% and 98.5%
respectively after 1 hour (Fig 6). To reduce the grinding cost, agitation cost and as
well as to achieve a cheaper absorption process, the lengthy coconut fiber analysis
spread method analysis was performed. In this at the 24th
hour, 98.5% of absorption
was achieved and at the end of 48th
hour, 99.9% absorption was achieved in lengthy
coconut fibre analysis and in spread method analysis at 24th
hour, 97% of absorption
was achieved and at the end of 48th
hour, 99.5% absorption was achieved. The results
of the study were similar to Hameed et al., 2009 and confirm that the absorption of
lengthy fibres of coconut and spread method analysis of sawdust is effective in 48
hour at stagnant condition. Though this process is very cost effective, it takes long
time to achieve maximum absorption.
To achieve maximum absorption with minimum usage, mixed biosorbents was
used. Based on the above results, the constituents of mixed biosorbents such as,
sawdust, coconut fibre and banana fibre was determined and employed by continuous
process in stirring condition. In this analysis, the percentage absorption was achieved
92.5% within 15 minutes and up to 99% in 60 minutes. The results of the study were
achieved greater absorption than Pavan et al., 2008. So, the present study clearly
indicated the mixed biosorbents technology have more potential than the other
absorption process and it was preferred for cheaper and faster absorption processes in
industrial effluent dye removal processes. In the desorption process with 1% NaOH,
sawdust desorbed 98.2%, banana fiber desorbed about 86.7% and coconut fiber
desorbed the dye by 12.4%. The sawdust showed maximum desorption compared to
the other two biosorbents.
9. CONCLUSION
Finally, the results of the study represent that the natural biosorbents are potent
enough to remove the basic dye, Methylene Blue from water. The biosorbents can
remove the dye with or without agitation condition. Usage of mixed biosorbents for
dye removal can reduce the duration of absorption process and also reduce the sorbent
material requirement for the processes. The major advantage is that with NaOH, we
can able to achieve dye desorption and re-usage of desorbed dye which is a boon to
the dye industry. Hence the mixed sorbent approach will be cost effective process for
the removal of dye contaminations and re-usage of dyes in industrial processes. Our

final part of the study will focus on using Mixed Biosorbent Technology to remove
Mixed Dyes.
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