Kinetic and Isotherm Studies for Nickel (II) Removal Using Novel Mesoparticle Graphene Sand Composite Synthesised From Sand and Arenga Palm Sugar

Nickel (II) is one of the most toxic contaminants recognised as a carcinogenic and mutagenic agent which needs complete removal from wastewater before disposal. In the present study, a novel adsorbent called mesoparticle graphene sand composite (MGSCaps) was synthesised from arenga palm sugar and sand by using a green, simple, low cost and efficient methodology. Subsequently, this composite was characterised and identified using field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), x-ray diffraction (XRD) and elemental mapping (EM). The adsorption process was investigated and optimised under the experimental parameters such as pH, contact time and bed depth. The results showed that the interaction between nickel (II) and MGSCaps was not ion to ion interaction hence removal of Ni (II) can be applied at any pH. The results were also exhibited the higher contact time and bed depth, the higher removal percentage of nickel (II) occurred. Adsorption kinetic data were modelled using Pseudo-first-order and Pseudo-second-order equation models. The experimental results indicated pseudo-second-order kinetic equation was most suitable to describe the experimental adsorption kinetics data with maximum capacity of 40% nickel (II) removal for the first hour. The equilibrium adsorption data was fitted with Langmuir, and Freundlich isotherms equations. The data suggested that the most fitted equation model is the Freundlich with correlation R2=0.9974. Based on the obtained results, it can be stated that the adsorption method using MGSCaps is an efficient, facile and reliable method for the removal of nickel (II) from waste water

Study on Durability Performance of Concrete Containing Laterite Aggregates

This paper addresses the durability performance of concrete containing laterite aggregate against corrosion, acid attack and carbonation. Two types of mixes were used, that is plain concrete (0% laterite aggregate) and another one, produced by integrating 20% of laterite aggregate as partial coarse aggregate replacement.  The corrosion resistance test was conducted by immersing the 28 days water cured specimens in sodium chloride for 1, 7 and 15 days. The steel bars were then connected to the data logger to determine the corrosion potential of each specimen. The acid resistance of specimens were investigated by immersing it in hydrochloric acid solution and the mass of cubes were measured at every 100 hour until 1800 hour. Carbonation depth was determined by spraying phenolphthalein indicator on broken surface of prism with curing age up to 1 year. The corrosion potential of both types of concrete rose as experimental period become longer. The acid resistance results show the difference in total mass loss of laterite concrete and control specimen is less than 5%. Carbonation results of the specimens are also close to each other. Utilization of 20% laterite aggregate as partial coarse aggregate replacement influences the resistance of concrete upon corrosion effect, acid attack and carbonation

Effect of Fast Pyrolysis Operating Conditions on Product Yield of Red Meranti Sawdust

Fast pyrolysis of red meranti sawdust was carried out in a bench-scale tabular furnace reactor for bio-oil production. In this work, the effect of pyrolysis temperature, N2 gas flow rate, retention time and feed particle size were studied. Results showed that the bio-oil achieved maximum yield about 63.2 wt. % at the temperature of 450°C, N2 flow rate of 25 L/min and retention time for feed particle size of 0.3 mm was 60 min. From analysis, it can be concluded that the temperature was the most influential parameter upon bio-oil yield, followed by N2 sweeping gas flow rate into the reactor and retention time of biomass in furnace. Feed particles size was insignificantly effect bio-oil yield. Gained bio-oil was analyzed using GC-MS to identify its compounds. Phenolic compound was dominant compound identified in bio-oil

Synthesis of graphene sand composite by using arenga palm and table sugar to remove methylene blue and nickel from aqueous solution

Pollution of water sources has increased in a number of regions of the world due to the growth of industries and its untreated effluent discharge, increasing urbanization and energy intensive life styles, loss of forest cover, lack of environmental awareness and lack of implementation of environmental rules and regulations. The aim of the thesis is to synthesis green graphene sand composite (GSC) by using arenga palm sugar and table sugar as carbon sources to remove methylene blue and nickel from aqueous solution through adsorption process. The arenga palm sugar was chosen as carbon source due to the similarity on properties with ordinary table sugar and no research has been conducted so far on this particular material. The synthesis was conducted by removing deleterious materials on sand’s surfaces before sieved. The solutions of sugar were prepared and heated to 95 oC for 2 hours with constant stirring together with sand before being put in furnace with nitrogen environment to produce graphene sand composite, GSCaps and GSCts. The composites then were activated by using concentrated sulphuric acid to maximise the capacity of absorbency. The analyses on the characteristic of both GSC were conducted through field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), elemental dispersive x-ray (EDX), elemental mapping (EM) and raman spectroscopy. Field Emission Scanning Electron Microscope (FESEM) analyses exhibited that the sugar coating process was done uniformly as there were layers of coating sheets formation outside the sand particles’ surface. It was found that the biggest elements in the composite were carbon, oxygen and silica in scattered distribution. There was also a strong diffraction peak located at 26.66 ° and 26.80 ° which indicates the formation of the crystalline of the GSCaps and GSCts respectively which give glowing effect to the composites due to the light reflection. The test on raman spectroscopy detected two important peaks namely G and D band at 1547 cm-1 and 1292 cm-1 respectively. Adsorption test showed that 100 % of 1 ppm methylene blue and nickel were successfully adsorbed by using 1 g of GSC with 50 % and 48% adsorption in the first hour of contact respectively. Complete adsorption of methylene blue and nickel was successfully achieved at 10 – 12 hours of contact. The analysis exhibited pseudo second order equation is more appropriate in describing kinetic of the methylene blue and nickel adsorption with R2=0.9993 and R2=0.9972 by using GSCaps whereas R2=0.9981 and R2=0.9948 by using GSCts respectively. The isotherm data of methylene blue and nickel removal were fitted Langmuir model best with R2=0.9999 and R2=0.9975 by using GSCaps whereas R2=0.9945 and R2=0.9962 by using GSCts respectively. The reusability of GSCaps and GSCts recorded 87 % and 88 % adsorbency capacity loss before regeneration and able to restore approximately 76 % capacity in adsorbing methylene blue and nickel. In conclusion, both GSCs have shown potentials to be acted as good adsorbent with a total of 7 % adsorption increment comparing to conventional method, by using similar parameters setting in the experiment

Engineering Properties of Concrete with Laterite Aggregate as Partial Coarse Aggregate Replacement

The increasing utilization of natural aggregate for concrete production has created negative impact towards environment. Thus, investigation on searching for alternative material which has potential to replace the use of granite aggregate in concrete mix is very much in need. This paper presents the engineering properties of concrete containing laterite aggregate as partial coarse aggregate replacement. Granite aggregate has been replaced by 10, 20, 30, 40 and 50% with laterite aggregate. All the specimens were subjected to water curing until it is ready to be tested. Tests on compressive strength, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity have been carried out at the age of 7, 14, 28 and 60 days. The results revealed that replacement of laterite aggregate up to 30% able to produce laterite concrete exhibiting the targeted strength which is 30MPa

Assessment of Malaysian Laterite Aggregate in Concrete

Integration of new material as a partial coarse aggregate replacement in local concrete production would be able to reduce the high dependency of concrete manufacturer on granite aggregate supply that may lead to ecological imbalance when this natural material is used excessively. This paper presents the assessment on the characteristic of Malaysian laterite aggregate obtained from several locations before discussing further on the influences of this local material towards engineering properties of normal concrete. Concrete mixes containing 0%, 10%, 20%, 30%, 40% and 50% laterite aggregate replacement level were cast before subjected to water curing for 7, 14, 28 and 60 days. Workability test, compressive strength test, flexural strength and modulus of elasticity were conducted in accordance to the existing standard. Results show that replacement of appropriate laterite aggregate content able to produce workable concrete with satisfactory strength. Addition of 10% replacement laterite aggregate able to produce mix with comparable strength to plain concrete. The targeted strength still can be achieved with addition of 30% replacement laterite aggregate

Separation of Deleterious Materials in Waste Water using Conventional and Recent Method through Adsorption Process: A Review

Pollutions around the world contribute to the water scarcity in clean water distribution. Clean water is very crucial for domestics and industrials activities. Purification through adsorption is one of the ways to produce clean water for consumption to meet the needs of the industries whether domestic or industrial necessity. Several purification techniques have been explored and adopted to meet the standard before distributed to the consumers. The adsorption technologies have been paid attention for the longest period due to its practicality and potential values which provides many advantages throughout the adsorption process. This review emphasized on the gravity separation, dissolved air floatation and membrane bioreactor system to remove deleterious materials includes chemical contaminants, particulates and suspended solidsin domestics and industrials waste water

Influence of Elevated Temperatures on Compressive Strength of Concrete Containing Laterite Aggregate

The present investigation looks into the effect of laterite aggregate as partial coarse aggregate replacement towards performance of concrete upon exposure to elevated temperature. Two mixes namely plain concrete with 100% granite aggregate and laterite concrete with 10% laterite stone as partial coarse aggregate replacement were prepared in form of cubes. All the specimens were water cured for 28 days before exposed to various level of high temperature. After that, it is left to cool down to room temperature by applying air cooling system. Behaviour of concrete upon exposure to high temperature has been evaluated through determination of mass loss and compressive strength reduction. The percentage of mass loss and compressive strength ratio pattern displayed by laterite concrete is similar to plain concrete. However, the variation in the percentage of mass loss and strength ratio of laterite concrete is governed by the different physical properties of laterite aggregate in comparison to granite aggregate. The temperature between 300 oC and 800 oC may be regarded as critical to the strength loss of laterite concrete

Effect of Curing Regime on Compressive Strength of Concrete Containing Malaysian Laterite Aggregate

Concrete subjected to improper curing process would exhibit poor strength performance due to incomplete hydration process. This research investigate the effect of curing regime towards compressive strength of concrete containing Malaysian laterite aggregate (MLA) as partial coarse aggregate replacement. Concrete specimens produced using a range of laterite aggregate replacement from 0 to 50% were placed in different curing regime namely water curing, natural weather curing and air curing until the testing date. Specimens were subjected to compressive strength test in accordance to BS EN 12390 at 60 days. The results show strength of all specimens except the air cured samples increase as the curing age become longer. It was found that water curing is the most suitable for better performance of laterite concrete. The presence of water throughout the curing process is very much crucial for laterite concrete strength developement compared to normal concrete

Comparison on characteristic of Mesoparticle Graphene Sand Composite (MGSC) using different types of sugar to remove methylene blue

This paper presents the green method to synthesis two types of adsorbent called mesoparticle graphene sand composite (MGSC) by using table sugar (MGSCts) and arenga palm sugar (MGSCaps) as different carbon sources to remove methylene blue acted as a dye model. Immobilisations of these materials on sand were introduced by using pyrolysis method without binder usage. Sand was treated by removing deleterious materials before sieved. The solutions of sugar were prepared and heated to 95 °C. The sand and sugar solutions were mixed and constantly stirred before putting them in furnace with nitrogen environment to produce MGSCts and MGSCaps. The composites were activated by using concentrated sulphuric acid to open the pores and maximise the capacity of absorbency. The analyses on the characteristic of both MGSCts and MGSCaps were conducted through field emission scanning electron microscope (FESEM), elemental dispersive x-ray (EDX) and elemental mapping (EM). FESEM analyses exhibited that the coating process was done uniformly as there were layers of coating sheets formation on the sand particles surfaces. After conducting EDX and EM, there were major elements found in both MGSCts and MGSCaps which were carbon, oxygen and silica. EM exhibited the distribution of these elements were scattered on the MGSC's surfaces. Removal of methylene blue was successfully carried out by using both MGSCts and MGSCaps, with maximum removal up to 40% at the first hour of contact time