Optimization of Coagulation Process Parameters for Reactive Red 120 Dye Using Ferric Chloride via Response Surface Methodology

Öz

In this study, the removal of Reactive Red 120, a dye commonly present in textile wastewater, was investigated using Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃) as a coagulant. Process optimization was carried out through Response Surface Methodology based on a four-factor experimental design, considering initial pH (2–12), coagulant dose (100–500 mg/L), mixing speed (50–250 rpm), and initial dye concentration (25–250 mg/L). A second-order polynomial model was developed and evaluated by ANOVA to assess the individual and interactive effects of these parameters on color removal efficiency. The maximum removal efficiency of 96.28% was obtained at pH 3, coagulant dose 400 mg/L, mixing speed 100 rpm, and dye concentration 200 mg/L. The Response Surface Methodology model showed good agreement with the experimental data and predicted a theoretical maximum efficiency of 98.33% under optimized conditions. Overall, the results confirm that FeCl₃-based coagulation, when optimized by Response Surface Methodology, is a robust and scalable pretreatment option for textile wastewater, capable of achieving near-complete decolorization and providing practical operating ranges for implementation.

Anahtar Kelimeler

• Reactive red 120
• Response surface methodology
• Parameter optimization
• Color removal
• FeCl₃
• Jar test

Kaynakça

1. Al-Sameraiy M. 2015. A new approach using coagulation rate constant for evaluation of turbidity removal. Appl Water Sci, 7: 1439–1448. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-015-0341-8
2. Argun YA, Tırınk S, Çakmakcı Ö. 2023. Treatment of wastewater containing azo dyes by combined processes. Eng Sci Issues Oppor Res, 2023: 65.
3. Argun YA. 2025. Investigation of the adsorption of anionic and cationic dyes in the textile industry using tinder fungus (Fomes fomentarius) as a natural adsorbent. Int J Environ Res, 19(5): 1-6. https://doi.org/10.1007/s41742-025-00856-x
4. Bratby J. 2016. Coagulation and flocculation in water and wastewater treatment. 3rd ed. IWA Publishing, London, UK, pp: 54. https://doi.org/10.2166/9781780407500
5. Çakmakcı Ö. 2025. Removal kinetics, thermodynamics and adsorption mechanism of anionic and cationic textile dyes using Suillus collinitus mushroom. Chem Pap, 2025: 2-18. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11696-025-04272-5
6. Dhruv B, Abhipsa M. 2020. UV/Fe³⁺ photolysis process optimization using response surface methodology for decolorization of Reactive Red 120 dye simulated wastewater. In: Recent Trends in Civil Engineering: Select Proceedings of ICRTICE 2019. Singapore: Springer, Singapore, Singapore, pp: 847–865.
7. Gautam K, Kamsonlian S, Kumar S. 2020. Removal of Reactive Red 120 dye from wastewater using electrocoagulation: Optimization using multivariate approach, economic analysis, and sludge characterization. Sep Sci Technol, 55(18): 3412–3426. https://doi.org/10.1080/01496395.2019.1695744
8. Holkar CR, Jadhav AJ, Pinjari DV, Mahamuni NM, Pandit AB. 2016. A critical review on textile wastewater treatments: Possible approaches. J Environ Manage, 182: 351–366. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.07.090

9. İrdemez Ş, Özyay G, Ekmekyapar Torun F, Kul S, Bingül Z. 2022. Comparison of Bomaplex Blue CR-L removal by adsorption using raw and activated pumpkin seed shells. Ecol Chem Eng S, 29(2): 199–216. https://doi.org/10.2478/eces-2022-0015
10. Islam MR, Mostafa MG. 2018. Removal of a Reactive Dye from Synthetic Wastewater Using PAC and FeCl₃ Coagulants. Life Earth Sci, 13: 39–44.
11. Karimifard S, Moghaddam MRA. 2018. Application of response surface methodology in physicochemical removal of dyes from wastewater: A critical review. Sci Total Environ, 640–641: 772–797. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.scitotenv.2018.05.355
12. Koç B, Kaymak-Ertekin F. 2009. Yanıt yüzey yöntemi ve gıda işleme uygulamaları. Gida, 34(3): 185–192.
13. Kopan M. 2023. Endüstriyel atıksu arıtımında zeytin çekirdeği tozunun doğal pıhtılaştırıcı olarak kullanılabilirliğinin belirlenmesi. Yüksek Lisans Tezi. Karabük Üniversitesi, Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü, Karabük, Türkiye, ss: 63.
14. Kumar A, Bishnoi NR. 2017. Coagulation of landfill leachate by FeCl₃: Process optimization using Box–Behnken design (RSM). Appl Water Sci, 7(4): 1943–1953. https://doi.org/10.1007/s13201-015-0372-1
15. Kusumlata ., Gautam S, Kumar A, & Ambade B. 2024. Sustainable Solutions: Reviewing the Future of Textile Dye Contaminant Removal with Emerging Biological Treatments. Limnol. Rev, 24(2), 126–149. https://doi.org/10.3390/limnolrev24020007
16. Li JZ, Xuyin Y, Ming T, Hao J, Jiang W. 2013. Decolorization of reactive brilliant red x-3b simulated dye water by novel coagulants. Mater Sci Forum, 743–744: 665–668. https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/MSF.743-744.665
17. Myers RH, Montgomery DC, Anderson-Cook CM. 2016. Response surface methodology: Process and product optimization using designed experiments. 4th ed. Wiley, London, UK, pp: 63.
18. Papić S, Koprivanac N, Božić AL, Meteš A. 2000. Removal of reactive dyes from wastewater using Fe(III) coagulant. Color Technol, 116(11): 352–358. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1478-4408.2000.tb00013.x
19. Ramadan HAA. 2023. Çam kozalığından elde edilen doğal koagülant kullanılarak endüstriyel atıksuların arıtılması. Yüksek Lisans Tezi, Karabük Üniversitesi, Lisansüstü Eğitim Enstitüsü, Karabük, Türkiye, ss: 63.
20. Rauf MA, Ashraf SS. 2009. Fundamental principles and application of heterogeneous photocatalytic degradation of dyes in solution. Chem Eng J, 151(1–3): 10–18. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.cej.2009.02.026
21. Robinson T, McMullan G, Marchant R, Nigam P. 2001. Remediation of dyes in textile effluent: A critical review on current treatment technologies with a proposed alternative. Bioresour Technol, 77(3): 247–255. https://doi.org/10.1016/S0960-8524(00)00080-8
22. Sadri Moghaddam M, Moghaddam MRA, Arami M. 2010. Coagulation/flocculation process for dye removal using sludge from water treatment plant: Optimization through response surface methodology. J Hazard Mater, 175(1–3): 651–657. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jhazmat.2009.10.058
23. Sözüdoğru O, Fil BA, Boncukcuoğlu R, Aladağ E, Kul S. 2015. Adsorptive removal of cationic (BY2) dye from aqueous solutions onto Turkish clay: Isotherm, kinetic, and thermodynamic analysis. Part Sci Technol, 34(1): 103–111. https://doi.org/10.1080/02726351.2015.1052121
24. Tırınk S, Kulakcı A S. 2025. Natural and biosorbent adsorbents for decolorization of azo dyes: a bibliometric analysis of global research trends. Mühendislik Alanında Multidisipliner Araştırma ve Değerlendirmeler, Özgür Yayınları, Harran, Türkiye, pp: 87-112. https://doi.org/10.58830/ozgur.pub776.c3232
25. Tırınk S, Nuhoğlu A, Kul S. 2020. Characterization of pistachio processing industry wastewater and investigation of chemical pretreatment. Environ Res Technol, 3(4): 209–216. https://doi.org/10.35208/ert.800721
26. Verma AK, Dash RR, Bhunia P. 2012. A review on chemical coagulation/flocculation technologies for removal of colour from textile wastewaters. J Environ Manage, 93(1): 154–168. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.jenvman.2011.09.012
27. Yılmaz K, Yılmaz T. 2019. Tekstil atıksuyu ve sentetik boyarmadde çözeltilerinden renk ve KOİ gideriminde alüm ve magnezyum klorürün karşılaştırılması. KSÜ J Eng Sci, 22(4): 270–280.