Application of artificial neural network for prediction of fluoride removal efficiency using neutralized activated red mud from aqueous medium in a continuous fixed bed column

The present research work approaches the removal of fluoride from aqueous medium using neutralized activated red mud (NARM) in a continuous fixed bed column. Artificial neural network (ANN) technique was applied effectively for optimization of the model for the practicability of the removal process. The consequences of various experimental variables, like bed length, adsorbate concentration, experimental time, and adsorbate solution flow rate are studied to know the breakthrough point and saturation times. The highest removal potentiality of NARM was considered to be 3.815 mg g of F in the bed height of 15 cm, starting concentration 1 ppm, susceptible time 120 min, adsorbate solution flow rate 0.5 mL min, and constant room temperature, respectively. Bohart-Adams and Thomas models were considered to describe the fixed bed column effect to the bed height and adsorbate concentrations. The experimental data were applied to a back propagation (BP) learning algorithm programme with a four-seven-one architecture model. The artificial neural network model was considered to be functioning correctly as absolute relative percentage error throughout the learning period. Differentiation between the predicted outcomes from ANN model and actual results from experimental analysis affords a high degree of correlation (R = 0.998) stipulating that the model was able to predict the adsorption efficiency. Experimented adsorbent materials were characterized using different instrumental analysis that is scanning electron microscopy–energy dispersive X-ray spectroscopy (SEM–EDS), Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), and X-ray diffraction (XRD).