ANÁLISE DA ADSORÇÃO DO CORANTES AZUL DE METILENO ATRAVÉS DE CARVÕES PRODUZIDOSATRAVÉS DE FIBRA DE COCO.

Abstract

This study investigated the production of activated carbons from coconut fiber biomass for the removal of Methylene Blue dye in synthetic effluents. Two types of carbon were produced: one carbonized in a muffle furnace under ambient atmosphere (Coconut Fiber Carbon, CFC), and the other carbonized in a muffle furnace and activated with Potassium Hydroxide (KOH) (Activated Coconut Fiber Carbon, ACFC). The Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms were applied to describe the adsorption behavior. The CFC showed a better fit to the Langmuir model, suggesting monolayer adsorption, while the ACFC did not fit well with either model. The efficiency of the carbons was analyzed through the Taguchi experimental design, considering the variables pH, adsorbent mass, agitation time, and initial concentration of the synthetic effluent. The responses were analyzed in terms of the removal of Methylene Blue (MB), Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), Total Organic Carbon (TOC), and Total Inorganic Carbon (TIC). ACFC showed superior performance, achieving a removal efficiency of 100% for MB, 95.02% for COD, 96.45% for TOC, and 87.07% for TIC. The application of the Taguchi method was effective in optimizing operational conditions, reducing costs and experimental time, and demonstrating the potential of coconut fiber as a promising raw material for the production of sustainable adsorbents. Finally, both carbons were compared with commercial Activated Carbon P.A., with ACFC standing out as a sustainable alternative for further study.