Boron removal from aqueous solution using coagulation- flocculation with curcumin : A response surface methodology

Abstract

Aim: Application of response surface methodology (RSM) to determine optimum parameters in the coagulation-flocculation process aided by curcumin for boron removal from aqueous solution was investigated. Methodology: Different parameters such as pH, coagulant dosage, and curcumin dosage that effect boron removal were tested. Application of central composite design in RSM was used to design the coagulation-flocculation experiment. Results: The results showed 75% of boron removal, while the optimum parameters for boron removal were observed at pH 2.8, 132.05 ppm poly aluminum chloride dose and 1161.4 ppm curcumin dose, respectively. Interpretation: Quadratic regression showed that the model was significant and lack of fit P value was 0.107 (p > 0.05), implying a significant model correlation between the variables and responses. The experimental data and predicted model proved that RSM is an appropriate approach for optimising the coagulation–flocculation process in removing boron from aqueous solution.