Title: Batch studies on the adsorption of Cr, Cd and Pb ions from industrial wastewater using raffia palm seeds activated carbon

Authors: Hope Ogbaje; Theresa Ukamaka Nwakonobi; Samuel Baba Onoja

Addresses: Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria ' Department of Agricultural and Environmental Engineering, University of Agriculture, P.M.B 2373, Makurdi, Nigeria

Abstract: The adsorption of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) ion onto raffia palm seeds activated carbon were studied under various conditions such as contact time and adsorbent dosage. The physico-chemical properties of the raffia palm seed activated carbon were determined. Cr, Cd and Pb removal efficiency of the raffia palm seeds adsorbent were 100%, 98.7% and 99.2% respectively at the optimum contact time of 80 minutes using the optimum adsorbent dose of 20 g/l for Cr and 30 g/l for Cd and Pb. The sorption data fitted well into Langmuir isotherm which was very suitable for describing the sorption equilibrium with high regression values. This study showed that raffia palm seeds activated carbon is suitable for the adsorption of the metals ions and as such could be used as a cost effective adsorbent in the treatment of industrial wastewater.

Keywords: batch studies; heavy metals; industrial wastewater; raffia palm seeds; activated carbon; Langmuir isotherms; adsorption; lead adsorption; chromium adsorption; cadmium adsorption; contact time; adsorbent dosage; sorption equilibrium; wastewater treatment.

DOI: 10.1504/IJEE.2015.074927

International Journal of Environmental Engineering, 2015 Vol.7 No.3/4, pp.275 - 284

Received: 08 Apr 2015
Accepted: 01 Oct 2015
Published online: 24 Feb 2016 *

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