Utilizing Soybean Hulls and Rice Hulls to Remove Textile Dyes from Contaminated Water

• Published in: Waste and biomass valorization 2013-09, Vol.4 (3), p.647-653
• Main Authors: Rizzuti, A. M., Lancaster, D. J.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Engineering; Environment; Environmental Engineering/Biotechnology; Industrial Pollution Prevention; Original Paper; Renewable and Green Energy; Waste Management/Waste Technology
• ISSN: 1877-2641; 1877-265X
• DOI: 10.1007/s12649-012-9167-x

In this study we investigated the capacities of soybean hulls and rice hulls to remove various textile dyes [Safranin T (ST), Remazol Brilliant Blue R (BB), and Direct Violet 51 (DV)] from aqueous solutions. Both hull types were mixed with the dyes and analyzed for dye removal using ultraviolet–visible spectroscopy. Parameters such as sample dose, particle size, and contact time were also examined. The results demonstrate that all samples worked well at removing the ST and DV dyes (85–98 % removal). The soybean hulls worked well at removing the BB dye (72–87 % removal), while the rice hulls did not (14–35 % removal). The optimum sample dose to textile dye ratio was 3 g of sample mixed with 50 mL of dye solution. Sample particle size did not effect on the soybean hulls’ capacities to remove the dyes. However, rice hull samples with smaller particle sizes removed slightly more DV and BB dye than rice hull samples with larger particle sizes. Contact time did not have a significant impact on either hull’s capacity to remove the ST dye. However, contact time did affect the rice hulls’ capacity to remove the DV dye. Desorption results show the possibility of recycling the textile dyes. Both hull types have demonstrated the ability to be reused multiple times for textile dye removal. Therefore, soybean hulls and rice hulls may possibly be suitable media for remediating water polluted with textile dyes. Using both hull types for this purpose is feasible and will convert these waste products into value-added products.