In this study, the ability of activated carbon prepared from waste to adsorb methylene blue from aqueous solution was investigated in a fixed-bed column. The effect of flow rate and inlet methylene blue concentration on the adsorption characteristics of activated carbon was investigated at 25 degrees C. Freundlich and Langmuir adsorption models have been used to represent the column equilibrium data. The Langmuir constants of Q(o) and b were determined as 6.38mg center dot g(-1) and 0.34L center dot mg(-1), respectively. The results showed that the equilibrium data fitted Langmuir isotherm within the concentration range studied. Four kinetic models, Adams-Bohart, Wolborska, Thomas, and Yoon-Nelson, were applied to experimental data to predict the break-through curves and determine the characteristic parameters of the column useful for process design. Results also indicate that the adsorption process can only deal with lower flow rates and lower concentrations of methylene blue solution if a high percentage of removal is required for extended periods. All models were found suitable for methylene blue adsorption onto activated carbon.