ADSORPTION OF SYNTHETIC DYES ON ACTIVATED SLUDGE

Abstract

The adsorption behavior of various synthetic dyes on activated sludge was investigated.
In the pH range of 6-8, the adsorption activity varied largely with kinds of dyes. In particular, the remarkable feature was found for the adsorption behavior of basic dyes. In low pH, the quantities of the adsorptives such as direct dyes, acid dyes, reactive dyes and disperse dyes which were adsorbed on activated sludge increased greatly. Therefore, the adsorption isotherms of the above dyes on activated sludge were determined in pH 3. Our results showed that the adsorption behavior of many dyes on activated sludge resembled that on activated carbon.
When the actual printing waste water was treated using activated sludge as adsorbent, good results were obtained.