Optimization of Metal Removal Factors Using Experimental Design

Abstract

Experimental design methodology has been used in various research areas including industrial and chemical engineering. In this paper, factor analysis and response surface optimization approaches were used for cadmium removal from aqueous solutions. The factors affecting removal of Cd ions from aqueous solutions were investigated depending on pH, initial metal concentration and solution temperature. Activated carbon used in the experiments was produced from Tunçbilek lignite by physical activation method. The analysis of important factors is established by using the design of experiments method. The effect and the interaction among the investigated factors are evaluated using the analysis of variance method. Together with regression analysis, response surface optimization is also utilized to obtain optimum conditions for best copper removal within the experimental limits.

Keywords

• Design of experiments, response surface optimization, factor analysis