Optimization of the Adsorption Process of Bezaktiv Turquoise Blue «VG» Textile Dye onto Diatomite Using the Taguchi Method

Abstract

A design of experiments based on the Taguchi method was used to evaluate the main parameters affecting the removal of textile dyes from aqueous solution. By using the adsorption capacity of textile dye as target response, several experiments were carried out using L27 orthogonal array, and the higher-the-better as quality characteristics was applied. The controlling factors, including initial dye concentration, contact time and pH of solution were assessed. Analysis of variance (ANOVA) was used to determine the effects of each factor on the adsorption capacity. The optimum adsorption conditions giving higher adsorption capacity were selected as initial dye concentration of 500 mg.L-1, contact time of 180 min and pH of solution of 2. The analysis results revealed that the most relevant factors affecting the adsorption process of textile dye are the initial dye concentration and pH of solution. After 3 cycles of thermal regeneration, the diatomite behavior did not change and more than 60 % of dye was eliminated from solution after regeneration at 600°C. From the obtained results, the Taguchi method was very successful to optimize of the adsorption parameters for maximum removal rate, and gives more credibility for industrial application.