Modeling and simulation for the adsorptive removal of Cr(VI) from aqueous solution

Cr(VI) adsorption experiments were carried out using activated carbon obtained from a waste weed Salvinia cucullata. The adsorbent was characterized using SEM, BET, EDAX, FT-IR, etc. Matrix method was used to develop an empirical mathematical model. Factorial design of experiments was used to minimize the number of experiments required to develop an empirical model. In the mathematical model, percentage adsorption of Cr(VI) was represented as a function of process variables like contact time, initial pH of the solution, and temperature. pH had the most influential effect on the adsorption process followed by contact time and temperature. The significance of different adsorption parameters and their combined effect on the adsorption process was established. The empirical model was simulated and solved using MATLAB and LabVIEW. The goodness of fit of the developed mathematical models to the experimental values was examined using different error analysis methods such as SSE, SAE, ARE, and ARS.