Two-stage adsorber design for malachite green and methylene blue removal using adsorbents derived from banana peel

Abstract

Abstract This work was aimed at evaluating the adsorptive characteristics and two-stage adsorber design of banana peel adsorbents for malachite green and methylene blue removal. The adsorbents were characterized for specific surface, functional groups, and morphology. Activated carbon and hydrochar activated carbon exhibit similar textural and surface properties, but different capacities of malachite green and methylene blue. The latter with surface area of 877 m2/g endows a greater malachite green removal at 582 mg/g, while the former with surface area of 897 m2/g displays a higher methylene blue capacity of 503 mg/g. The Langmuir model was employed in a two-stage adsorber design. The second stage of adsorber is necessary to accomplish the adsorption process with high performance and minimum dosage of activated carbon.