Equilibrium, Kinetic and Optimization Studies for the Adsorption of Tartrazine in Water onto Activated Carbon from Pecan Nut Shells

A series of experimental studies has been carried out using a novel, sustainable adsorbent to remove Tartrazine dye, namely, a steam activated carbon obtained from pecan nut shells. The dye also known as acid yellow 23 has been used in the food industry but is now classified as a carcinogen. The experimental equilibrium data has been used to test four equilibrium isotherm models and then the best fitting model was optimised to minimise the mass of adsorbent used to save costs in industrial applications using a two-stage batch adsorption system. The experimental contact time data has also been modelled and the best fit model has been used to optimise/minimise the contact time for a range of process conditions.