Investigation of Adsorbent Characteristics of Carbonized Low-Density Woods in the Treatment of Textile Effluent

Abstract

Textile industries wastewater contains pollutants which vary greatly and depend on the chemicals and treatment processes used. Toxic heavy metals in wastewater are discharged into the environment, which adversely affect human, aquatic life, and natural water bodies. This study was therefore designed to investigate adsorption of heavy metal ions (Cadmium, Zinc, Manganese, Chromium and iron) in raw textile wastewater using activated carbon from Cordia millenii and Gmelina arborea wood species. Carbon structural pattern was examined using SEM equipment. Batch sorption tests were conducted in wastewater treatment by varying absorbent contact time with the sorbate from 30 to 120minutes (at 30minutes intervals) to facilitate attainment of equilibrium condition. The pore space diameter mean values were 9.28±1.22 and 4.45±1.57μm for Cordia millenii Carbon (CMC) and Gmelina arborea Carbon (GAC) respectively. It was observed that over 80% Manganese removal was achieved at 120minutes contact time for both carbons studied. Highest removal efficiencies were observed at all contact times in GAC for iron while in CMC for Chromium, Cadmium, Zinc and Manganese between 30-90minutes contact time. After 120 minutes contact time, there was insignificant difference in removal efficiency for Chromium and Manganese. However, at 30minutes contact time, percentage removal of over 60% was obtained for Manganese, implying that Manganese has high mobility towards the adsorbents surface. The activated carbons obtained from these two wood species are therefore viable options for heavy metal removal from textile effluents.