Research article
Optimization of Acid Black 172 decolorization by electrocoagulation using response surface methodology
1 Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
2 Associate Professor, Civil and Environmental Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
3 Textile Engineering Department, Amirkabir University of Technology, Tehran, Iran
Iranian Journal of Environmental Health Science & Engineering 2012, 9:23 doi:10.1186/1735-2746-9-23
Published: 11 December 2012Abstract
This paper utilizes a statistical approach, the response surface optimization methodology, to determine the optimum conditions for the Acid Black 172 dye removal efficiency from aqueous solution by electrocoagulation. The experimental parameters investigated were initial pH: 4–10; initial dye concentration: 0–600 mg/L; applied current: 0.5-3.5 A and reaction time: 3–15 min. These parameters were changed at five levels according to the central composite design to evaluate their effects on decolorization through analysis of variance. High R2 value of 94.48% shows a high correlation between the experimental and predicted values and expresses that the second-order regression model is acceptable for Acid Black 172 dye removal efficiency. It was also found that some interactions and squares influenced the electrocoagulation performance as well as the selected parameters. Optimum dye removal efficiency of 90.4% was observed experimentally at initial pH of 7, initial dye concentration of 300 mg/L, applied current of 2 A and reaction time of 9.16 min, which is close to model predicted (90%) result.
