Adsorptive removal of 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid from aqueous solution using bagasse fly ash as adsorbent in batch and packed-bed techniques

Among the several synthetic herbicides available currently, 2,4-D is a commonly used herbicide to control broadleaf weeds in agriculture and forestry. However, its increasing use in agricultural and nonagricultural activities has resulted in increasing concentrations of 2,4-D being detected in water bodies. Thus, there is a need to identify methods to remove 2,4-D to protect the environment. Among the various methods used for 2,4-D removal, adsorption is found to be effective, and several adsorbents have been studied to remove 2,4-D from aqueous solutions. In this study, we used bagasse fly ash (BFA), a common industrial waste generated in large amount worldwide, for 2,4-D removal from aqueous solution using batch and continuous packed-bed adsorption. In the batch adsorption process, the effects of initial concentration, contact time, temperature, pH, and particle size of BFA were studied. The packed-bed performance of BFA was investigated by varying the influent concentration (50–150 mg/L), flow rate (1.2–4 mL/min), and bed height (4.5–9 cm). Isotherm and thermodynamic parameters are determined for batch adsorption, whereas the performance of continuous adsorption is evaluated by different packed-bed models. The particle-size effect indicated the higher removal of 2,4-D on the bigger particles of BFA due to greater BET surface area and carbon-to-silica ratio than smaller particles. The maximum percentage removal (37.04) is achieved for an influent concentration of 50 mg/L, flow rate of 1.2 mL/min, and bed height of 6.5 cm. For the first time ever, the deactivation kinetic model was applied for the solid–liquid adsorption system and it showed the best fit among the selected models. The bed capacity (m²/g) of BFA is three times greater than synthetic activated carbon for adsorption of 2,4-D. This informs that the BFA can be used as an adsorbent for 2,4-D removal from aqueous solution.