Adsorption of Ammonia Nitrogen by using Jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) Seeds: Batch and Fixed-bed Column Studies

The performance of jackfruit (Artocarpus heterophyllus) seed adsorbent for ammonia nitrogen (NH3-N) removal from aqueous solution was examined through batch and continuous bed column experiments. The effects of sodium chloride (NaCl) and lignin concentration on the adsorption process were evaluated. The results revealed that the adsorption performance gradually decreased from 26% upon addition of NaCl and lignin in the solution. Fixed bed column experiments showed that maximum removal of ammonia nitrogen was obtained at an influent concentration of 100 mg/L, bed height of 10 cm and lowest inlet flow rate of 17 mL/min. Meanwhile, desorption studies were carried out at different pH and highest desorption capacity of jackfruit seed adsorbent was 0.42 mg/g. This study suggests that jackfruit seed is a promising adsorbent for the recovery process of ammonia nitrogen

Ammonia nitrogen removal from aqueous solution by local agricultural wastes

Excess ammonia nitrogen in the waterways causes serious distortion to environment such as eutrophication and toxicity to aquatic organisms. Ammonia nitrogen removal from synthetic solution was investigated by using 40 local agricultural wastes as potential low cost adsorbent. Some of the adsorbent were able to remove ammonia nitrogen with adsorption capacity ranging from 0.58 mg/g to 3.58 mg/g. The highest adsorption capacity was recorded by Langsat peels with 3.58 mg/g followed by Jackfruit seeds and Moringa peels with 3.37 mg/g and 2.64 mg/g respectively. This experimental results show that the agricultural wastes can be utilized as biosorbent for ammonia nitrogen removal. The effect of initial ammonia nitrogen concentration, pH and stirring rate on the adsorption process were studied in batch experiment. The adsorption capacity reached maximum value at pH 7 with initial concentration of 500 mg/L and the removal rate decreased as stirring rate was applied