Simultaneous Removal of Azo and Phthalocyanine Dyes from Aqueous Solutions Using Weak Base Anion Exchange Resin

The performance of the Purolite A847 weak basic anion exchanger in the simultaneous removal of the azo dye Lanasyn Navy M-DNL (LNCr) and the phthalocyanine dye Acid Blue 249 (CuPc) from acidic aqueous solutions was studied under dynamic conditions. The comparison of FTIR spectra of unloaded and dye-loaded anion exchangers made it possible to consider suitable sorption mechanisms. The results of dynamic experiments revealed that anion exchanger had a greater dynamic sorption capacity with a longer breakthrough time and a shorter length of mass transfer zone when both dyes LNCr and CuPc were removed from the one-component solution as compared to those of their mixture. Models of Wolborska and Juang were found to be suitable to predict the character of breakthrough curves and to determine the characteristic parameters of the Purolite A847 column useful for process design: the mass transfer coefficient β (1/min) and time at the break point τ (minutes). The result would be useful in the design of wastewater treatment plants for removal of azo and phthalocyanine dyes from aqueous solutions and water recycling.