Full factorial design methodology approach to optimize the elimination of gallic acid from water by coagulation using activated acorns barks as coagulant-aid

Abstract

This study investigated the elimination of organic matter from water by the coagulation process using a biomaterial ?acorns barks? as a coagulantaid with the presence of aluminium sulphate in low concentration. The removal of gallic acid from water was first studied by two processes: the adsorption on activated acorns barks, and coagulation by aluminium sulphate, separately. The hybrid system was then studied, and the optimal operating conditions were determined. The performance of the hybrid system (coagulation/adsorption) mainly depends on the initial concentration of gallic acid, the coagulant dose and the mass of coagulant-aid. A full factorial design 23 was used to determine the optimum conditions for gallic acid removal. The maximum removal of gallic acid in water was 92.48 %, achieved at 20 mg L-1 of initial gallic acid concentration, 50 mg L-1 of aluminium sulphate coagulant concentration and 1.5 g of activated acorns barks adsorbent mass. The application of these optimal conditions on urban wastewater for the elimination of organic matter has shown the performance of this hybrid system treatment.