APPARATUS & MATERIAL

1. Granulated activated carbon

2. Methylene blue powder
3. Distilled water
4. Beaker (1L)
5. Volumetric flask
6. Laboratory electrical stirrer
7. Electronic balance
8. Weighing aluminum foil
9. Spatula
10. Vial bottles
11. UV spectrometer
12. Pipette
13. Filter paper
14. Filter Funnel

METHODOLOGY

Part A: To attain at least 70% removal efficiency of methylene blue by using activated
carbon.

1. 3 sample units of fixed concentration, 15mg/L methylene blue solutions are prepared by
weighing 0.015g of methylene blue powder and diluting it with distilled water in 1-L
volumetric flasks.

2. The solutions are agitated in stirrers at an average speed of 220 rpm at a constant
temperature. Initial adsorption values of each are measured using a UV-Vis
spectrophotometer. Distilled water is used to calibrate the spectrophotometer before use.

3. Activated carbon, R & M Chemical Karbons with different masses, which are 0.3g, 0.6g,
and 0.9g are added into the three solutions, respectively.

4. The solutions are constantly stirred in stirrers at 220 rpm.

5. For every 5-minute time interval, a sample of each solution is taken and put into the
cuvette to measure their absorbance values using a spectrophotometer at 465nm.
6. Absorbance values are recorded, and the percentage removal of each solution is
calculated using the following formula:

7. Steps 5 and 6 are repeated until the solutions achieve 70% removal efficiency.

Part B: Determine the best-fit adsorption isotherm (Langmuir or Freundlich) and

its respective constants.

1. 4 sample units of 15mg/L, 20mg/L, 25mg/L and 30mg/L methylene blue solutions are
prepared by weighing methylene blue powder at 0.015g, 0.020g, 0.025g, and 0.030g and
diluting them with distilled water in 1-L volumetric flasks.

2. The solutions are agitated in stirrers at an average speed of 220 rpm at a constant
temperature. Initial adsorption values of each are measured using a UV-Vis
spectrophotometer. Distilled water is used to calibrate the spectrophotometer before use.

3. Fixed amount of activated carbon, 0.6g is added into the 4 respective solutions.

4. For every 5-minute time interval, a sample of each solution is taken and put into the
cuvette to measure their absorbance values using a spectrophotometer at 465nm.

5. Step 4 is repeated until the absorbance readings reach steady state.

6. Concentration values and equilibrium mass of adsorbate are calculated from absorbance
data obtained. Langmuir and Freundlich’s isotherms are drawn to determine the best fit
isotherm.