Evaluation of performance of the Activated, Calcinated, and Modified Brick powder processes for the adsorption of Poly Vinyl Alcohol by Response Surface Methodology (RSM)

Abstract

Brick powder works well as an adsorbent to remove Poly Vinyl Alcohol (PVA) from aqueous PVA solutions. The adsorption studies carried out with Acid Activated Brick powder (ABP), Calcinated Brick powder (CBP) and Brick Powder Modified with coal powder and bentonite (MBP). The adsorbents were prepared and characterized using UV–VIS spectrophotometry and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). These adsorbents were then utilized to lower the concentration of PVA in an aqueous solution. The software Design-Expert 7.0 was used to design the experimental layouts, and Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was applied to optimize the process parameters, including dose of adsorbent, contact time, standard PVA concentrations, and solution pH. Acid activated brick powder and Modified Brick powder shown the ability to reduce PVA by 77.5% and 84% respectively when applied at concentration of 1.1g/75ml solution of PVA at pH 4 with of 35 min of reaction time. Similarly, Calcinated brick powder shown absorption of 75 % and when treated with 2g/50ml of PVA solution at pH 2 with duration of 60 min. The efficiency of removing the substance was mainly affected by the combined effect of the amount of adsorbent used and the pH of the solution. So brick powder investigated as cost-effective, feasible and efficient adsorbent for PVA removal.