Optimization Studies for 2-Chlorophenol Removal by Walnut Shell Activated Carbon (WAC) Using Taguchi's Experimental Design

Abstract

The statistical optimization of the process parameters involved in the adsorptive removal of 2-chlorophenol by walnut shell-activated carbon was carried out using Taguchi's experimental design. Taguchi's experimental design with an L9 orthogonal array was employed for optimizing the effects of the four process parameters, namely: pH (6 10), temperature (30 50 oC), interaction time (60 180 min), and initial concentration of 2CP (50 150 mg/L) each varying at three different levels. The inputs from signal-to-noise ratio and variance analysis were considered to find the optimal conditions for removing and determining significant operating parameters. The orthogonal array was used for the design with the 'maxima are better' approach since better removal capacity was desirable. The pH of the 2-chlorophenol solution was observed to be the most influential factor according to the design. The result obtained from the experimental validation run agreed with the one predicted by Taguchi's design. From the results, it is evident that Taguchi's design for optimization is an efficient tool for optimizing the adsorption parameters involved with removing 2-chlorophenol.