Optimization of Chromium(III) Sorption by Activated Sludge Using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

AbstractThe removal process of Cr(III) in aqueous solution using activated sludge as adsorbent was optimized. Response surface methodology was employed to assess the removal efficiency considering the cumulative effect of pH and contact time. The quantitative relationship between Cr(III) uptake and variable parameters was used to optimize the control level of each parameter by a full factorial design method. The analysis of variance demonstrates that the model was statistically highly significant, which shows also that the removal of Cr(III) was affected by the studied factors. The model was statistically tested and verified by experimentation. The response surface methodology gives not only valuable information on interactions between the evaluated parameters but also allows identifying the optimum values of the studied factors.