Evaluation of polystyrene anion exchange resin for removal of reactive dyes from aqueous solutions

The Amberlite IRA-900 resin was tested to remove C.I. Reactive Black 5, C.I. Reactive Red 2 and C.I. Reactive Red 120 dyes from solutions. Batch adsorption studies concerning effects of the phase contact time, pH, temperature, the presence of salts and surfactants were run. A pseudo second-order kinetic model was used to evaluate the rate constants. The Langmuir equation provided good fit for the experimental data of the equilibrium adsorption. The studies of dyes uptake using the dynamic method were run. The treatment efficiency of Amberlite IRA-900 to model wastewaters was tested. Desorption experiments by the batch method were performed.

► Amberlite IRA-900 has very high adsorption capacity for reactive dyes.
► Preferences of dyes adsorption on resin: C.I. Reactive Red 120 < C.I. Reactive Black 5 < C.I. Reactive Red 2.
► The resin exhibits good adsorption characteristics for model and real wastewater.
► Only the difficulties with carrying out efficient desorption are problem.