Statistical design of experiments as a tool for optimizing the batch conditions to Cr(VI) biosorption on Araucaria angustifolia wastes

In order to reduce the total number of experiments for achieving the best conditions for Cr(VI) uptake using Araucaria angustifolia (named pinhão) wastes as a biosorbent, three statistical design of experiments were carried out. A full 24 factorial design with two blocks and two central points (20 experiments) was experimented (pH, initial metallic ion concentration-Co, biosorbent concentration-X and time of contact-t), showing that all the factors were significant; besides, several interactions among the factors were also significant. These results led to the performance of a Box-Behnken surface analysis design with three factors (X, Co and t) and three central points and just one block (15 experiments). The performance of these two statistical designs of experiments led to the best conditions for Cr(VI) biosorption on the pinhão wastes using a batch system, where: pH 2.0; Co = 1200 mg l−1 Cr(VI); X = 1.5 g l−1 of biosorbent; t = 8 h. The maximum Cr(VI) uptake in these conditions was 125 mg g−1. After evaluating the best Cr(VI) biosorption conditions on pinhão wastes, a new Box-Behnken surface analysis design was employed in order to verify the effects of three concomitant ions (Cl−, NO3− and PO43−) on the biosorption of Cr(VI) as a dichromate on the biosorbent (15 experiments). These results showed that the tested anions did not show any significant effect on the Cr(VI) uptake by pinhão wastes. In order to evaluate the pinhão wastes as a biosorbent in dynamic system, a glass column was fulfilled with pinhão wastes (4.00 g) as biosorbent, and it was fed with 25.0 mg l−1 Cr(VI) at pH 2.0 and 2.5 ml min−1. The breakpoint was attained when concentrations of effluent of the column attained the value of 0.05 mg l−1 Cr(VI) using 5550 ml of the metallic ion solution. In these conditions, the biosorbent was able to remove completely Cr(VI) from aqueous solution with a ratio of Cr(VI) effluent volume/biosorbent volume of 252.3.