Due date: 30th April 2020

Experiment 2: Decolouration of Methylene Blue (MB) with Activated Carbon:

Application for waste water treatment.

Half Report
 If the following data was obtained following the procedure outlined in the
Waste Water Treatment (CHP 3811) laboratory manual for 2020, compute the
results in the tables below and answer the questions:

Table 1:Results Table (standards)

Standards of MB
Diluted solutions Concentration (mg/L) (Initial) Absorbance
Blank 0.00 0.00
Standard 1 25 0.25
Standard 2 50 0.56
Standard 3 100 0.95
Standard 4 250 1.64
Standard 5 1000 6.52
Standard 6 1200 7.63

Following the procedure in the manual, the remaining methylene blue was analysed
by UV-Vis spectrophotometer and the absorbance was recorded:
Table 2: Adsorption Results

Adsorbed solutions Calculated (equilibrium) Absorbance

concentration (mg/L)
1 0.244
2 0.3385
3 0.5275
4 1.0945
5 3.9295
6 5.8195

Questions and data analysis

1. Using the data provided in the result table, construct a calibration curve for MB
standards (absorbance versus concentration). Determine the equation of the
linear “trendline” through the data points.
2. Use the calibration data to determine the remaining concentration (equilibrium)
of MB.
C -C x V
3. Calculate MB desorption capacity (qe) using this formula= o e
m
Where Co is the initial concentration, Ce is equilibrium concentration, V is the volume
of MB solution (L) and m is the mass of adsorbent (g).
4. Calculate Decolouration (%) using formula= Co-Ce x 100
Co
5. Briefly discuss natural materials/sources that can be developed into Activated
Carbon, including the production processes.
6. Discussion and conclusion:
 Comment on the colour removal efficiency of the Activated Carbon (AC)
used in this experiment.
 How can the capacity of the AC if low, be modified i.e. pH, contact time,
adsorbent dose, initial concentration etc.
 Relate this experiment to application in waste water treatment