The use of dyestuff-treated rice hulls for removal of heavy metals from waste water

Rice hulls, when coated with the reactive dye of Procion Red or Procion Yellow, was found to be highly effective for removal of many metal ions from aqueous solutions both in batch and column method. When 120–130 ppm solutions were used, quantitative removal could be achieved with Pb²⁺, Cd²⁺, and Hg²⁺. After the adsorption of metal ions, the substrate could be recovered almost completely by treating with dilute hydrochloric or nitric acid solution, and used repeatedly.