Adsorption Characteristics of Sugar Cane Bagasse for The

Removal of Evercion Red HE3B Dye from Aqueous

Solutions

 Muhammad Fahad IC-050

 Muhammad Ovais IC-041
 Muhammad Hasan Jaliawala IC-048
 Yousuf Siddique IC-060
 Mehdi Hasan IC-062
 Wasik Shakeel IC-043

Department of Industrial Chemistry

NED University of Engineering & Technology
 Department of Industrial Chemistry
NED University of Engineering & Technology
University Road, Karachi 432520, Pakistan

Declaration of Originality

We hereby declare that the work contained in this report with all the contents in it are the product
of our own work. This report has not been published in any form nor does it contain any
verbatim of the published resources which could be treated as infringement of the international
copy right law.

Signatures:

1. . 2. .

3. . 4. .

5. . 6. .

Date:
 ABSTRACT
This report contains the study of adsorption characteristics of the sugar-cane bagasse for the
removal of Evercion Red HE3B, which is a reactive dye. In order to evaluate the adsorbent
potential of sugarcane bagasse, the effects of many parameters were studied using Placket
Burman Design. Six different factors (dye concentration, pH, adsorbent size, adsorbent amount,
contact time and temperature) were studied to get the best condition for adsorbent to adsorb dyes.
Results made clear that sugarcane bagasse can be used as good adsorbent to remove Evercion
Red HE3B from solutions.Analysis of Plackett-Burman Design showed that initial dye
concentration and pH were most influential parametersfor the adsorption of Evercion Red HE3B
onto sugarcane bagasse.

Key words: Sugarcane bagasse, Dye, adsorbent, Evercion Red HE3B, Plackett-Burman.
 1. Introduction

1.1. Introduction of Sugarcane

Sugar cane is the part of the family of perennial grass that forms lateral shoots over the period
with multiple stems in it in a course of 9 ft. 10 inch to about 13 ft. 1 inch in height and nearly 2
inch in dia. The stem further grows into cane stalk and then further into the stem constitutes 75%
entire plant which has 11 to 16 % fiber, 2-3% non-sugar materials, 12-16 % soluble sugar and
around 63 to 73% water. For the cultivation sugar cane is highly sensitive and mainly depends on
the climatic conditions and type of the soil to grow irrigation, fertilization and variety of disease
control system for harvesting which yields it into 70 tons per hectare in a year. However, the
figure would vary depending on the sources of cultivation and man management.

1.2. Production of Sugarcane

For the cultivation of cane sugar, we required a tropical climatic region which has moisture all
around the season. cultivation required proper supply water, and healthy plants can properly
grow within six to seven months depends upon the supply ofwater. proper supply of spray to
avoid the effect of pesticides.
Nowadays with the advancement in technology, mechanical methods for harvesting are adopted
as well as with the increase in growing economy, rapid rate of cultivation is required.
Being situated in the central part of the Asia and the handful resources of land, water supply,
Pakistan is the 5th largest source for the production of sugarcane
This product is highly beneficial for the economy for any country as per in the Asian sector,
sugar cane plays a vital role in enhancing the economy of the country which not only helps the
stake holders but to the farmers which are associated with the cultivation of sugar cane. With the
advancement in technology the awareness has been increase among the farmers for the
cultivation in terms of irrigation and protection from pesticides and with the growing economy
the production rate is increasing and many complexes and industries are developing for the
utilization of cane sugar.
Country Area Production (million Productivity
(million tons) (Tons/ha)
ha)
 Brazil 5.343 386.2 72.3
India 4.608 289.6 62.8
China 1.328 92.3 65.5
Thailand 0.970 64.4 66.4
Pakistan 1.086 52.0 47.9
Mexico 0.639 45.1 70.6
Colombia 0.435 36.6 84.1
Australia 0.423 36.0 85.1
USA 0.404 31.3 77.5
Philippines 0.385 25.8 67.1
Indonesia 0.350 25.6 73.1
Cuba 0.654 22.9 35.0
South Africa 0.325 20.6 63.4
Argentina 0.295 19.2 65.2
Myanmar 0.165 7.5 45.4
Bangladesh 0.166 6.8 41.2
WORLD 20.42 1333.2 65.2

Table 1. Sugarcane inthe world: Area, Production and Productivity

1.3. Pollution by Textile Dyes

Textile sector is the most important industrial sector around the world and socially in the Asian
countries as well because annually it produces billion of kilograms of fabric utilizing trillions of
gallons of water but at the same time it produces harmful elements to the nature causing
pollution to the human life in terms of various aspects. For example, water pollution, which
causes several health issues. The problem caused by these textile dyes in air pollution is hard to
speculate because sample analysis is difficult as it slid out harmful gases in the atmosphere
which affect the cluster of clouds with in the vicinity of the sector and at the same time it also
produces waste water which is another harmful aspect of the pollution by these dyes which
affects in terms of high stability to light, temperature, water, detergents, chemicals, soap and
other parameters such as bleach and perspiration which eventually continue with time in the
environment.
There is a list of problems caused by textile dyes in the environment.
1. The major problem is the algae conversion because of these dyes when it produces waste
water as it stops the effect of photosynthesis and causes algae to form because of no sun
light effect on water because of dye.
2. The fragments of these dyes cause skin issue, cancer issue and multiple health diseases.
3. The labor which worked day and night in those industries is effected badly and reported
having bladder issues, kidneys problems and many more.
4. These dyes forming covalent bonds with the human cell and other fibrous materials
causes asthma.
 5. These dyes not only affect the human life but it also harms the marine life and damages
their respiratory functions which may lead in a way to human life as well because
utilization of these aquatic stuff having polluted by dyes turns human life in way more
danger.
6. These AZO dyes are harmful as they damage the human and marine life as it is disturbed
the metabolism and cause cancer and internal skin dieses.
The main target now a day for textile industries is to minimize the pollution by modifying the
production method, by using more eco-friendly production method. There are three ways to
reduce the pollution. (Ashfaq et al. 2014)
a. Using of advanced technology.
b. Effective treatment of effluent so that it confirms to specified discharge
requirements.
c. Treatment of waste before discharging, which is considered the most practical
solution.

1.3.1. Azo dyes

Azo dyes account for the majority of all textile dyestuffs produced because of the ease and cost
effectiveness of their synthesis, their stability and the variety of colors available compared to
natural dyes. They are extensively used in the textile, paper, food, leather, cosmetics and
pharmaceutical industries. Improper textile dye effluent disposal in aqueous ecosystems leads to
the reduction in sunlight penetration which in turn decreases photosynthetic activity, dissolved
oxygen concentration, water quality and depicts acute toxic effects on aquatic flora and fauna,
causing severe environmental problems worldwide. In addition to their visual effect, azo dyes
also have adverse impact in terms of total organic carbon (TOC) and chemical oxygen demand
(COD). Many synthetic azo dyes and their metabolites are toxic, carcinogenic, mutagenic,
leading to potential health hazard to humankind

1.3.2. Red HE3B

Red HE3B is one of the diazo dyes and has a very large consumption rate in the textile dyeing
processes. The dye is soluble in the water and has a λmax of 510 nm.

1.3.3.Pollution resolution by textile dyes

The harmful effluent which comes out from the textile industries can be controlled and cured by
taking care of the following factors.
 Physical factors chemical factors Biological factors
1. Coagulation 1. Ion exchange 1.stabilization
2. Reverse osmosis 2. Electro lyses 2. Trickling filters
3. Floatation 3. Oxidation 3. Anaerobic digestion
4. Filtration 4. Reduction 4. Fungal treatment
5. Distillation 5.Flocculation

By keeping in mind those factors i.e. (physical, chemical and biological factors) environmental
pollution can be optimize and production rate can also be enhanced.

1.4. Sugarcane Bagasse

Bagasse is fiber waste which comes out when the cane sugar juice is completely extracted. In the
past bagasse was used as fiery material there by creating pollution to the environment but with
the awareness of handling and advancement it is now being used as an ecofriendly material
serving as none polluted agent for the atmosphere.
Being not only used for the food service it also been used as a replacement of plastic and
Styrofoam products because utilizing bagasse from sugar cane consumes fewer amount of energy
then these two (plastics and Styrofoam).
The most important factor for utilizing sugar cane bagasse is its biodegradable factor because it
only degrades within 90 days or so but as compare to other material like plastic and Styrofoam’s
it requires more than 400 days to degrade depending upon the different parameters. And in terms
of its manufacturing is concern it is readily easy because the left-over extraction from sugar cane
easily transform into different shapes for food services and for converting pulp into paper.
A typical chemical analysis of bagasse might be (Umesh K et al. 2009):
 Cellulose 45–55%
 Hemicellulose 20–25%
 Lignin 18–24%
 Ash 1–4%
 Waxes <1%

1.5. Adsorption
Adsorption is a process of interface accumulation in which one of the substances from particular
phase is being concentrated on another phase. Basically, this whole process is the reverses of
phenomenon of absorption in which the changing of matter is proportional to phase i.e. gas
transfer. Let us consider a valuable example which explains the phenomenon of adsorption.
Adsorption is present in many natural, physical, biological, and chemical systems, and is widely
used in industrial applications such as activated charcoal, capturing and using waste heat to
provide cold water for air conditioning and other process requirements synthetic resins, increase
storage capacity of carbide-derived carbons, and water purification. Adsorption, ion exchange,
and chromatography are sorption processes in which certain adsorbates are selectively
transferred from the fluid phase to the surface of insoluble, rigid particles suspended in a vessel
or packed in a column.

1.6. Plackett-Burman Design

Plackett–Burman designs was presented in 1946 by Robin L. Placket and J. P. Barman while
working in the British Ministry of Supply. The idea was to get a design which can optimize no.
Of independent variable while using the minimum estimation of the variance of those
experiments.
Relationship regarding the factors had taken as negligible. The solution (for this problem
was resolved when each combination for the pair was minimizes through factorial as it run
multiple components into single step and then it has finds the idea of smaller design.
In the study of different particle size of baggage material, the design was taken as the standard to
formulate the multiple steps into single steps.  This design simplifies various parameters which
contain numerous effect on the study of different particle sizes used for the experiments. Since
the design suggest as it has zero relationship in between other components of that range which is
in consideration therefore a simple method had adopted for the enough screening. Plackett–
Burman has a fractional factorial design with the major sequel can be easily achieved since
the differences in the average of measurement used at the top level +1 of that factor to factor at
low level –1.
 2.Material and Methods
2.1. Preparation of Adsorbent

2.1.1. Collection of Sugarcane Bagasse

Sugarcane bagasse was collected from a local vendor at NIPA chowrangi, Gulshan.
2.1.2. Washing and Drying of Sugarcane bagasse
Bagasse was washed thoroughly with water and then left to dry at room temperature for 3 days.

2.1.3. Grinding of sugarcane Bagasse

Sugarcane bagasse was grinded into small particle sizes. The process is done by the Hammer
mill at Chemical Department lab of NED_UET.
2.1.4. Sieving of Sugarcane Bagasse
Grinded particles were then separated into three sizes i.e. 0.25mm, 0.5mm, 1.0mm.

2.2. Preparation of solutions of Dyes solution

In this study EVERICON HE3B RED DYE.( HE3B Procion Red H 3B; Reactive Red 3; C.I.
Reactive Red 3) was used. Molecular Weight: 774.044808 g/mole.
Lambda max: 536 nm

2.2.1. Preparation of Stock

Solution
Stock solution is prepared of Evercion Red
HE3B of conc. Of 1000 ppm.

2.2.2. Preparation of Different Diluted Solutions

Using stock solution dye solutions were prepared of concentrations of20, 40, 60, 80 & 100 ppm.
2.3. Experimental Process
Batch experiments were performed to study the removal of dye from solutions using sugarcane
bagasse as adsorbent. Experiments were carried out according to the Placket Burman Design
created by Minitab software (see Table 1) Generally, each experiment wasperformed in
following manner: certain mass of sugarcane bagasse was added into a beaker containing 50 ml
of known concentration of dye solution, and absorbance was noted before and after the
adsorption by sugarcane bagasse by using visible spectrophotometer.
Table 1. Placket Burman Design for screening of most influencial factor for adsorption of
HE3B red Dye

Run Dye conc. Adsorbent Adsorbent pH Contact Time Temperature

Order Amount Particle
size
1 100 0.5 0.25 8 60 30
2 20 0.2 0.25 3 5 30
3 20 0.2 0.25 8 60 50
4 60 0.35 0.625 5.5 32.5 40
5 100 0.5 1 3 60 50
6 100 0.5 0.25 8 5 30
7 20 0.5 1 3 60 30
8 20 0.5 0.25 3 5 50
9 60 0.35 0.625 5.5 32.5 40
10 100 0.2 0.25 3 60 50
11 20 0.2 1 8 60 30
12 20 0.5 1 8 5 50
13 100 0.2 1 8 5 50
14 100 0.2 1 3 5 30

3. Experimental Results
 Effects of six factors on the elimination of Evercion Red HE3B from sugarcane bagasse were
studied followed by the removal quantities as responses. The removal of dyes from aqueous
solutions was simultaneously measured by using spectrophotometer in the chemistry lab I.
TABLE 2
Studied 6 parameters and decrease in absorbance
Run Dy Adsorb Adsorben pH Contact Temperat Absorba Absorban decreases
Ord e ent t Particle Time ure nce ce (final) in abs
er con Amount size (Initial)
c.
1 100 0.5 0.25 8 60 30 2.254 1.832 0.422
2 20 0.2 0.25 3 5 30 0.4 0.021 0.379
3 20 0.2 0.25 8 60 50 0.426 0.419 0.007
4 60 0.35 0.625 5.5 32.5 40 1.504 1.332 0.172
5 100 0.5 1 3 60 50 2.18 1.219 0.961
6 100 0.5 0.25 8 5 30 2.216 1.66 0.556
7 20 0.5 1 3 60 30 0.483 0.167 0.316
8 20 0.5 0.25 3 5 50 0.422 0.319 0.103
9 60 0.35 0.625 5.5 32.5 40 1.504 1.332 0.172
10 100 0.2 0.25 3 60 50 2.26 1.371 0.889
11 20 0.2 1 8 60 30 0.515 0.482 0.033
12 20 0.5 1 8 5 50 0.469 0.436 0.033
13 100 0.2 1 8 5 50 2.211 2.029 0.182
14 100 0.2 1 3 5 30 2.146 1.057 1.089

4. Discussion
Some parameters show significant effect while others may have little or may not have any effect
on adsorption property of sugarcane bagasse.
4.1. Important Factors
4.1.1. Pareto Chart
Using Minitab, a Pareto chart of influences was used for studying most important factors. The
chart shows main effect estimates plotted against the horizontal access and includes a vertical
line to indicate the α=0.05 for statistical significance.

Pareto Chart of the Standardized Effects

(response is decresase in abs, α = 0.05)
Term 2.447
Factor Name
A A dye. conc.
B adst amount
C ads. part. size
D D pH
E contac time
F temerature
F

0 1 2 3 4 5 6
Standardized Effect

Fig.1 Pareto chart of standardized effect of parameters on the removal of Dye Evercion Red
HE3B.
The standard effect was highly depended on the concentration of the dye solution with the
relative effect of the pH of the solution and least important factor extracted from pareto graph
was the amount of adsorbent material.

\
4.1.2 Main Effects Screener
Main Effects Screener for decresase in absorbance
Summary Report

Data Means
Effects Pareto
Look for panels with large differences between levels.
Isolates the most important effects.
dye. conc. adst amoun ads. part.
dye. conc.

0.6 pH

temerature

0.4 contac tim

ads. part.
decresase in Absorbance

adst amoun
0.2

0.0 0.2 0.4

20 60 100 0.20 0.35 0.50 0.250 0.625 1.000 Effect
pH contac tim temerature
Effect is defined as the largest
mean minus the smallest mean.
0.6

Colors based on effect size, in

standard deviations:
0.4 Larger than 2

Between 1 and 2

Smaller than 1
0.2

3.0 5.5 8.0 5.0 32.5 60.0 30 40 50

Fig.2 Main effects plot for the decrease in conc. of Dye.

For multiple factors analysis this method is very useful because it calculates the difference
between high level of the absorption particle to the low level and thus provides different plots.
The difference which is being calculated is the main screener effect.
4.1.3. Normal Plot of the Standardized Effects
The normal plot shows the effect of left and right side of the plot in which left has the negative
effect and right sided plot has the positive effect on the graph as it has two-sided magnitude
therefore it makes it difficult for the comparison.

Normal Plot of the Standardized Effects

(response is decresase in abs, α = 0.05)
99
Effect Type
Not Significant
95 Significant

90 A Factor Name
A dye. conc.
80 B adst amount
70 C ads. part. size
Percent

60 D pH
50 E contac time
40 F temerature
30
20

10 D

1
-5.0 -2.5 0.0 2.5 5.0
Standardized Effect

Fig.3 Normal plot of the standardized effect

Here the significant factors of dye concentration and pH show the positive effect while the other
parameters show the negative effect.
 6. Conclusion
The present study was aimed to evaluate factors affecting adsorption of HE3B Red Dye onto
sugar cane bagasse using statistical Placket Burman Design. The adsorption results were
evaluated using Minitab software and resulting graphs suggested that initial dye concentration
and pH were most influential factors. Further work is required to understand nature,
thermodynamics and kinetics of adsorption.
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