Ni(II) removal using date seed powder biosorbent: Process parameters classification and RSM modeling

Area of Science:

• Environmental Science
• Materials Science
• Chemical Engineering

Background:

• Nickel (II) ions pose environmental risks, necessitating efficient removal methods.
• Agricultural waste, like date seed powder, offers a sustainable adsorbent material.
• Optimizing adsorption parameters is crucial for effective wastewater treatment.

Purpose of the Study:

• To investigate the impact of pH, particle size, adsorbent mass, and stirring time on Ni(II) removal efficiency.
• To rank the most influential parameters affecting Ni(II) removal using univariate linear regression.
• To model and optimize the Ni(II) adsorption process using Response Surface Methodology (RSM).

Main Methods:

• Experimental investigation of adsorption parameters (pH, particle size, adsorbent mass, stirring time).
• Univariate linear regression analysis to determine parameter significance.
• Response Surface Methodology (RSM) for process modeling and optimization.

Main Results:

• Solution pH was identified as the most significant parameter for Ni(II) removal.
• Optimal conditions yielded a maximum Ni(II) removal of 94.13%.
• Optimized parameters included: pH 12.04, particle size 137.81 µm, adsorbent mass 0.346 g, and stirring time 29.15 min.
• Experimental verification confirmed the model's accuracy with 93.5% removal.

Conclusions:

• Date seed powder is an effective adsorbent for Ni(II) removal from wastewater.
• Optimized conditions significantly enhance Ni(II) removal efficiency.
• The study provides a framework for developing cost-effective and efficient wastewater treatment processes.