Optimization of Process Parameters using Box-benkhen Design towards Uptake of Acid Orange 10 Using Casuarina Charcoal

Statistics based optimization methodology such as Box-Behnken Design was employed to study the effect and interaction among three influencing variables such as dye concentration (mg/L), pH and incubation time (hours) towards Acid Orange 10 dye uptake by casuarina charcoal. The range of variables in the study was determined from preliminary studies using One Factor At a Time (OFAT) approach. A17 trial Box-Behnken design generated using Design Expert 8.0 and optimized conditions were predicted. The optimal operating condition found to be; dye concentration of 30 mg/L, pH 7 and six hours of incubation at room temperature at static conditions yielded an experimental sorption uptake of 70.24mg/g. The predicted sorption uptake 71.59mg/g was in agreement with the experimental sorption with a error of 1.89%. We conclude that, the sorption uptake using locally available casuarina charcoal can be employed as a cheap alternative in removal of azo dyes using response surface methodology