Removal of dyes from effluents using low-cost agricultural by-products

The adsorption capacity of agricultural by-products, namely peat and rice hulls, for acidic and basic dyes has been investigated and compared with that of activated carbon. The effect of contact time, pH and adsorbent particle size were studied. Fixed-bed flow experiments were performed to simulate industrial conditions on a small scale. Economic evaluation indicates that peat and rice hulls have high adsorptive capacities, as well as being very cheap.