The adsorption properties of Cedrus libani (Elizabeth leaf) on methylene blue dye, Bismarck brown Y dye and indigo dye was studied using both the batch process and fixed bed methods. This was done in order to compare the effectiveness of each of the methods over each other in the adsorption process. The biomass was characterized using the scanning electron microscope (SEM) as well as the Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscope (FTIR) before and after adsorption in order to determine the functional groups responsible for the adsorption. The amount of dye adsorbed per unit mass of the biomass (qe) was calculated and found to be dependent on contact time, pH, biomass dose, biomass particle size, dye concentration, dissolved sodium and calcium salts and temperature. Optimal pH of 2 was determined for the adsorption of Bismarck brown Y dye and indigo dye while pH of 4 was determined for methylene blue dye. The qe value for the fixed bed adsorption was determined to be 12.98mg/g compared to the 11.28mg/g for the batch process using methylene blue dye. This indicates a better adsorption in the fixed bed technique over the batch process. However, the qe values fluctuated using the Bismarck brown Y and indigo dyes. Generally, the results show a better adsorption in the fixed bed technique over the batch process. Indigo dye was found to be the least adsorbed, while methylene blue dye was the most adsorbed. The adsorption pattern was fitted for Langmuir adsorption isotherm model.
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