Design of optimum response surface experiments for the adsorption of acetic, butyric, and oxalic acids on Amberlyst A21

ABSTRACT

In this study the adsorption equilibria of acetic, butyric, and oxalic acids onto Amberlyst A21 were investigated experimentally at 25°C. The process was optimized using response surface methodology (RSM). The time to reach the equilibrium state, effects of adsorbent amount, and initial acid concentrations on adsorption efficiency were investigated. Freundlich, Langmuir, and Temkin isotherms were applied to experimental data. The Freundlich isotherm revealed better results than the others. In addition to the main aim of this research, a statistical/mathematical approach – RSM – was utilized to simulate and determine the optimum conditions of acetic, butyric, and oxalic acids removal by Amberlyst A21 using three selected parameters (adsorbent dose, initial dye concentration, and type of acids). The significance of independent variables and their interactions were tested by the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The optimum acid concentration, amount of adsorbent, type of acid, and removal of acid (%) were found by desirability function to be 0.199 mol/L, 1.999 g, butyric acid, and 84.537%, respectively.

GRAPHICAL ABSTRACT

KEYWORDS:

• Adsorption
• Amberlyst A21
• carboxylic acid
• response surface methodology (RSM)