Modelling the Adsorption of Arsenic from Water and Wastewater using Microsoft Excel Solver and SPSS

Abstract

Arsenic (As) poisoning is toxic to human organs and tissues (the heart, bones, intestines, kidneys, and reproductive and nervous systems). This paper focused on the modelling fittings of removal of As from water and typical industrial wastewaters through adsorption. Equilibrium isotherm parameters were determined using Microsoft Excel Solver (MES) and SPSS methods. The study revealed that equilibrium isotherms for As adsorption from aqueous solutions can be grouped into two based on the values of correlation coefficient (R²) as follows: adsorption equilibrium isotherms with R² greater than 0.95 and R² less than 0.95. Microsoft Excel Solver method was found to be as accurate as SPSS method based MSC, CD, R and AIC. The study concluded that MES can be used for model fitting based on accuracy and cost (at no additional cost of purchase and installation unlike SPSS).