3.

DATA ANALYSIS AND CALCULATIONS

A. Adsorption Kinetics
Three different samples were prepared where methylene blue was used as dye to determine and
comment on the adsorption kinetics of powdered activated carbon (PAC). Contents of samples
are listed below:
1st Beaker: 1 liter of 30 mg/L methylene blue + 100 mg PAC
2nd Beaker: 1 liter of 30 mg/L methylene blue + 250mg PAC
3rd Beaker: 1 liter of 60 mg/L methylene blue + 250 mg PAC
While samples were stirred at 400 rpm, absorbance measurements were made with different
time periods, by using a spectrophotometer adjusted to 652nm readings. Absorbance values are
converted to concentration of methylene blues by dividing the absorbance value to conversion
factor O.177. Additionally, since absorbance values can be read accurately only up to 17mg/L
methylene blue concentration at 652nm, samples were diluted. An example calculation of
methylene blue concentration is provided below for absorbance measurement of 1st Beaker at
t=2 min:

Absorbance
CMethylene Blue =
0.177*Dilution Factor
2.057
CMethylene Blue, t=2min = = 28.243 mg/L
0.177*0.5
Capacity of activated carbon (q) is calculated by applying all collected data. It is also can be
described as the quantity of methylene blue that was transferred to the surface of activated
carbon (g of methylene blue/g of activated carbon). An example calculation of capacity of
activated carbon is shown in below for absorbance measurement of 1st Beaker at t=4 min:

(C0 -Ct )*V

q=
M

where, Co: Initial methylene blue concentration (mg/L)

C: Methylene blue concentration at time t (mg/L)
V: Volume of sample (1L)
M: Mass of PAC used (mg)
(27.593-20.802)*1
qt=4min = = 0.0679 g/g
100

The measurement data in beaker 1 ,2 and 3 are applied to do calculations as shown in above.
The measured and obtained data are summarized in Table 1, Table 2 and Table 3 for 1st, 2nd and
3rd beaker. Moreover, C/C0 versus Time and q versus Time graphs are shown in Figure 1 and
Figure 2 for the 1st Beaker, Figure 3 and Figure 4 for the 2nd Beaker, Figure 5 and Figure 6 for
the 3rd Beaker respectively.
 Table 1: Data for the 1st Beaker
Time Dilution Absorbance Methylene Blue Concentration C/C0 q
(min) Ratio (mg/L) (g/g)
0 0.5 2.442 27.593 1.000 0.000
2 0.5 2.057 23.243 0.842 0.044
4 0.5 1.841 20.802 0.754 0.068
6 0.5 1.774 20.045 0.726 0.075
8 0.5 1.612 18.215 0.660 0.094
10 0.5 1.560 17.627 0.639 0.100
12 0.5 1.540 17.401 0.631 0.102
14 0.5 1.488 16.814 0.609 0.108
19 0.5 1.418 16.023 0.581 0.116
24 0.5 1.384 15.638 0.567 0.120
29 0.5 1.324 14.960 0.542 0.126
34 0.5 1.310 14.802 0.536 0.128
39 0.5 1.255 14.181 0.514 0.134
44 0.5 1.241 14.023 0.508 0.136
54 0.5 1.180 13.333 0.483 0.143
64 0.5 1.163 13.141 0.476 0.145
74 0.5 1.168 13.198 0.478 0.144

C/C0 vs Time
1.200

1.000

0.800
C/C0

0.600

0.400

0.200

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 1: C/C0 versus Time Graph for the 1st Beaker

 q vs Time
0.160
0.140
0.120
0.100
q(g/g)

0.080
0.060
0.040
0.020
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 2: q versus Time Graph for the 1st Sample

Table 2: Data for the 2nd Beaker

Time Dilution Absorbance Methylene Blue Concentration C/C0 q
(min) Ratio (mg/L) (g/g)
0 0.5 2.211 24.983 1.000 0.000
2 0.5 0.898 10.147 0.406 0.059
4 0.5 0.628 7.096 0.284 0.072
6 0.5 0.444 5.017 0.201 0.080
8 0.5 0.379 4.282 0.171 0.083
10 0.5 0.336 3.797 0.152 0.085
12 0.5 0.298 3.367 0.135 0.086
14 0.5 0.286 3.232 0.129 0.087
19 1 0.242 1.367 0.055 0.094
24 1 0.474 2.678 0.107 0.089
29 1 0.454 2.565 0.103 0.090
34 1 0.420 2.373 0.095 0.090
39 1 0.435 2.458 0.098 0.090
44 1 0.427 2.412 0.097 0.090
54 1 0.442 2.497 0.100 0.090
64 1 0.419 2.367 0.095 0.090
 C/C0 vs Time
1.200

1.000

0.800
C/C0

0.600

0.400

0.200

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

Figure 3: C/C0 versus Time Graph for the 2nd Beaker

q vs Time
0.100
0.090
0.080
0.070
0.060
q(g/g)

0.050
0.040
0.030
0.020
0.010
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

Figure 4: q versus Time Graph for the 2nd Sample

 Table 3: Data for the 3rd Beaker
Time Dilution Absorbance Methylene Blue Concentration C/C0 q
(min) Ratio (mg/L) (g/g)

0 0.2 2.042 57.684 1.000 0.000

2 0.2 1.153 32.571 0.565 0.100
4 0.2 0.973 27.486 0.476 0.121
6 0.2 0.941 26.582 0.461 0.124
8 0.2 0.88 24.859 0.431 0.131
10 0.2 0.853 24.096 0.418 0.134
12 0.2 0.829 23.418 0.406 0.137
14 0.2 0.764 21.582 0.374 0.144
19 0.2 0.724 20.452 0.355 0.149
24 0.2 0.686 19.379 0.336 0.153
29 0.2 0.633 17.881 0.310 0.159
34 0.2 0.582 16.441 0.285 0.165
39 0.2 0.577 16.299 0.283 0.166
44 0.2 0.561 15.847 0.275 0.167
54 0.2 0.523 14.774 0.256 0.172
64 0.2 0.487 13.757 0.238 0.176
74 0.2 0.459 12.966 0.225 0.179

C/C0 vs Time
1.200

1.000

0.800
C/C0

0.600

0.400

0.200

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 5: C/C0 versus Time Graph for the 3rd Beaker

 q vs Time
0.200
0.180
0.160
0.140
0.120
0.100
q

0.080
0.060
0.040
0.020
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 6: q versus Time Graph for the 3rd Sample

In order to determine the reaction order of the samples, each sample is assumed as 0th, 1st, 2nd
and 3rd order reaction. The graphs for them are drawn respectively. Order of the sample is
identified by examining the R2 values of the graph. The general reaction kinetic is defined as:

𝑑𝐶
= −𝑘𝐶 𝑛
𝑑𝑡

 For Zeroth Order Reactions (n=0):

𝑑𝐶
= −𝑘
𝑑𝑡
𝐶 𝑡
∫ 𝑑𝐶 = −𝑘 ∫ 𝑑𝑡
𝐶0 0

C|𝑐𝑐0 = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
C − 𝐶0 = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
𝐶0 − 𝐶 = 𝑘 ∗ 𝑡

(C0-C) versus time graph is drawn for the 0th Order Reaction assumption.
 For First Order Reactions (n=1):
𝑑𝐶
= −𝑘𝐶
𝑑𝑡
𝐶 𝑡
𝑑𝐶
∫ = −𝑘 ∫ 𝑑𝑡
𝐶0 𝐶 0

ln (C)|𝑐𝑐0 = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
ln (C)
= −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
ln (C0 )
ln (C0 )
= 𝑘∗𝑡
ln (C)
ln(C0/C) versus time graph is drawn for the 1st Order Reaction assumption.

 For Second Order Reactions (n=2):

𝑑𝐶
= −𝑘𝐶 2
𝑑𝑡
𝐶 𝑡
𝑑𝐶
∫ 2
= −𝑘 ∫ 𝑑𝑡
𝐶0 𝐶 0

1
− |𝑐𝑐0 = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
𝐶
1 1
− + = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
𝐶 𝐶0
1 1
− =𝑘∗𝑡
𝐶 𝐶0
(1/C)-(1/C0) versus time graph is drawn for the 2nd Order Reaction assumption.

 For Third Order Reactions (n=3):

𝑑𝐶
= −𝑘𝐶 3
𝑑𝑡
𝐶 𝑡
𝑑𝐶
∫ 3
= −𝑘 ∫ 𝑑𝑡
𝐶0 𝐶 0

1
− |𝑐 = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
2 ∗ 𝐶 2 𝑐0
1 1
− + = −𝑘 ∗ 𝑡
2 ∗ 𝐶 2 2 ∗ 𝐶02
1 1
− =𝑘∗𝑡
2∗𝐶 2 2 ∗ 𝐶02
1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02) versus time graph is drawn for the 3rd Order Reaction assumption.
Determination of Reaction Order in 1st Beaker:

Zeroth Order Reaction (n=0) for 1st Beaker

20.000
18.000 y = 0.139x + 6.8998
16.000 R² = 0.639
14.000
12.000
C0-C

10.000
8.000
6.000
4.000
2.000
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 7: (C0-C) Versus Time Graph for the 1st Beaker

First Order Reaction (n=1) for 1st Beaker

1.000
0.900 y = 0.008x + 0.2945
0.800 R² = 0.7356
0.700
0.600
ln(C0/C)

0.500
0.400
0.300
0.200
0.100
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 8: ln(C0/C) Versus Time Graph for the 1st Beaker

 Second Order Reaction (n=2) for 1st Beaker
0.050
y = 0.0005x + 0.0125
0.045
R² = 0.8189
0.040
0.035
(1/C)-(1/C0)
0.030
0.025
0.020
0.015
0.010
0.005
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 9: (1/C)-(1/C0) Versus Time Graph for the 1st Beaker

Third Order Reaction (n=3) for 1st Beaker

0.0030
y = 3E-05x + 0.0005
0.0025 R² = 0.8838
1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02)

0.0020

0.0015

0.0010

0.0005

0.0000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 10: 1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02) Versus Time Graph for the 1st Beaker

The best fit for the first beaker is 3rd order reaction rate. It is determined by comparing
the R2 values of Zeroth, First, Second and Third order reactions as shown in Figure 7,
Figure 8, Figure 9 and Figure 10 respectively.
Determination of Reaction Order in 2nd Beaker:

Zeroth Order Reaction (n=0) for 2nd Beaker

30.000
y = 0.15x + 16.54
25.000 R² = 0.26

20.000
C0-C

15.000

10.000

5.000

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

Figure 11: (C0-C) Versus Time Graph for the 2nd Beaker

First Order Reaction (n=1) for 2nd Beaker

3.500
y = 0.0231x + 1.3848
3.000
R² = 0.4156
2.500
ln(C0/C)

2.000

1.500

1.000

0.500

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

Figure 12: ln(C0/C) Versus Time Graph for the 2nd Beaker
 Second Order Reaction (n=2) for 2nd Beaker
0.800
0.700
0.600
(1/C)-(1/C0) 0.500 y = 0.0051x + 0.1667
R² = 0.3602
0.400
0.300
0.200
0.100
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

Figure 13: (1/C)-(1/C0) Versus Time Graph for the 2nd Beaker

Third Order Reaction (n=3) for 2nd Beaker

0.3000000

0.2500000
1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02)

0.2000000

0.1500000 y = 0.0013x + 0.0334

R² = 0.1707
0.1000000

0.0500000

0.0000000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70
Time (min)

Figure 14: 1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02) Versus Time Graph for the 1st Beaker

The best fit for the second beaker is 2nd order reaction rate. It is determined by
comparing the R2 values of Zeroth, First, Second and Third order reactions as shown in
Figure 11, Figure 12, Figure 13 and Figure 14 respectively.
Determination of Reaction Order in 3rd Beaker:

Zeroth Order Reaction (n=0) for 3rd Beaker

60.000
y = 0.3248x + 26.625
50.000 R² = 0.4885

40.000
C0-C

30.000

20.000

10.000

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 15: (C0-C) Versus Time Graph for the 3rd Beaker

First Order Reaction (n=1) for 3rd Beaker

1.800
1.600 y = 0.0139x + 0.6478
R² = 0.7293
1.400
1.200
ln(C0/C)

1.000
0.800
0.600
0.400
0.200
0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 16: ln(C0/C) Versus Time Graph for the 3rd Beaker
 Second Order Reaction (n=2) for 3rd Beaker
0.070
y = 0.0007x + 0.0156
0.060 R² = 0.9043

0.050
(1/C)-(1/C0)
0.040

0.030

0.020

0.010

0.000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 17: (1/C)-(1/C0) Versus Time Graph for the 3rd Beaker

Third Order Reaction(n=3) for 3rd Beaker

0.0035000

0.0030000 y = 3E-05x + 0.0003

R² = 0.9808
1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02)

0.0025000

0.0020000

0.0015000

0.0010000

0.0005000

0.0000000
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80
Time (min)

Figure 18: 1/(2*C2)-1/(2*C02) Versus Time Graph for the 3rd Beaker

The best fit for the first beaker is 3rd order reaction rate. It is determined by comparing
the R2 values of Zeroth, First, Second and Third order reactions as shown in Figure 15,
Figure 16, Figure 17 and Figure 18 respectively.