Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium to Trivalent Chromium using Sludge from Acetylene Gas Production

Electroplating industry generates harmful anionic heavy metal which is Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) that need to be treated before it can be discharged into the environment following accordance to the Environmental Industry (Effluent Regulation) 2009. These Cr6+ ions must be reduced to chromium trivalent (Cr3+) using a reducing agent before undergoing precipitation process for complete removal of (Chromium) Cr component. The common reducing agent is using Sodium Metabisulphite (SMBS). This chemical generates harmful gases which are Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). Circular economy practices encouraged by the Department of Environment (DOE) includes repurposing industrial waste, where the undesired by product is seen as a potential resource for other purposes. In this study, sludge from Acetylene gas production is used as a reducing agent. Acetylene production sludge (APS) contains high (Calcium) Ca element and (Ferum) Fe ions that are essential for the reduction of Cr6+ to Cr3+. The analysis of APS characterization is done by XRF and XRD instrument with the result of high Ca and Fe ions with (Ca(OH)2) alkaline properties. The initial concentration of Cr6+ is 3.25 mg/L and total Cr concentration is 1124 mg/L. The highest percentage reduction is 61.5% found at pH 5.51 with the APS dosage of 1.15 ml. For the effect of APS dosing, 100% reduction of Cr6+ is achieved at pH 6.04 with volume of APS used at 1.8 ml

Reduction of Hexavalent Chromium to Trivalent Chromium using Sludge from Acetylene Gas Production

Electroplating industry generates harmful anionic heavy metal which is Hexavalent Chromium (Cr6+) that need to be treated before it can be discharged into the environment following accordance to the Environmental Industry (Effluent Regulation) 2009. These Cr6+ ions must be reduced to chromium trivalent (Cr3+) using a reducing agent before undergoing precipitation process for complete removal of (Chromium) Cr component. The common reducing agent is using Sodium Metabisulphite (SMBS). This chemical generates harmful gases which are Hydrogen Sulphide (H2S) and Sulphur Dioxide (SO2). Circular economy practices encouraged by the Department of Environment (DOE) includes repurposing industrial waste, where the undesired by product is seen as a potential resource for other purposes. In this study, sludge from Acetylene gas production is used as a reducing agent. Acetylene production sludge (APS) contains high (Calcium) Ca element and (Ferum) Fe ions that are essential for the reduction of Cr6+ to Cr3+. The analysis of APS characterization is done by XRF and XRD instrument with the result of high Ca and Fe ions with (Ca(OH)2) alkaline properties. The initial concentration of Cr6+ is 3.25 mg/L and total Cr concentration is 1124 mg/L. The highest percentage reduction is 61.5% found at pH 5.51 with the APS dosage of 1.15 ml. For the effect of APS dosing, 100% reduction of Cr6+ is achieved at pH 6.04 with volume of APS used at 1.8 ml

Plant-based tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF) produced high removal of heavy metal ions at low dosage

High removal of heavy metals using plant-based bioflocculant under low concentration is required due to its low cost, abundant source, and nontoxicity for improved wastewater management and utilization in the water industry. This paper presents a treatment of synthetic wastewater using plant-based Tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF) without modification on its structural polymer chains. It produced a high removal of heavy metals (Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd) at a low concentration of TBPF dosage. In our previous report, TBPF was characterized and successfully reduced the turbidity, total suspended solids, and color for leachate treatment; however, its effectiveness for heavy metal removal has not been reported. The removal of these heavy metals was performed using a standard jar test procedure at different pH values of synthetic wastewater and TBPF dosages. The effects of hydroxide ion, pH, initial TBPF concentration, initial metal ion concentration, and TBPF dosage were examined using one factorial at the time (OFAT). The results show that the highest removal for Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd metal ions were 98.4–98.5%, 79–80%, 97–98%, and 92–93%, respectively, using 120 mg/L dosage from the initial concentration of 10% TBPF at pH 10. The final concentrations for Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd metal ions were 0.043–0.044, 0.41–0.43, 0.037–0.054, and 0.11–0.13 mg/L, respectively, which are below the Standard B discharge limit set by the Department of Environment (DOE), Malaysia. The results show that TBPF has a high potential for the removal of heavy metals, particularly Zn, Pb, Ni, and Cd, in real wastewater treatment

Plant-Based Tacca leontopetaloides Biopolymer Flocculant (TBPF) Produced High Removal of Turbidity, TSS, and Color for Leachate Treatment

Wastewater treatment is crucial to ensure a sustainable supply of clean water, especially for human use. Natural flocculants can overcome the disadvantages of chemical flocculants in wastewater treatment. This study proposes a new natural-based flocculant from the Tacca leontopetaloides plant for leachate treatment. The plant tuber was processed through gelatinization to produce Tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF). The characterization of TBPF for flocculant properties was investigated, and the performance of TBPF on leachate treatment using a standard jar test procedure was examined at different pH values of leachate and TBPF dosages. The characteristics of TBPF in terms of amylose/amylopectin fraction, viscosity, and zeta potential were 26:74, 0.037–0.04 Pa·s, and −13.14 mV, respectively. The presence of –COOH and –OH structure in TBPF indicates the flocculant properties. TBPF reduced the turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), and color from 218 NTU, 214 mg/L, 14201 PtCo to 45.8–54.5 NTU, 19.3–19.9 mg/L, and 852–994 PtCo, respectively, using 240 mg/L of TBPF at pH 3. These results show a high potential of the new plant-based TBPF for leachate treatment and water industry applications

Plant-Based Tacca leontopetaloides Biopolymer Flocculant (TBPF) Produced High Removal of Turbidity, TSS, and Color for Leachate Treatment

Wastewater treatment is crucial to ensure a sustainable supply of clean water, especially for human use. Natural flocculants can overcome the disadvantages of chemical flocculants in wastewater treatment. This study proposes a new natural-based flocculant from the Tacca leontopetaloides plant for leachate treatment. The plant tuber was processed through gelatinization to produce Tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF). The characterization of TBPF for flocculant properties was investigated, and the performance of TBPF on leachate treatment using a standard jar test procedure was examined at different pH values of leachate and TBPF dosages. The characteristics of TBPF in terms of amylose/amylopectin fraction, viscosity, and zeta potential were 26:74, 0.037–0.04 Pa·s, and −13.14 mV, respectively. The presence of –COOH and –OH structure in TBPF indicates the flocculant properties. TBPF reduced the turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), and color from 218 NTU, 214 mg/L, 14201 PtCo to 45.8–54.5 NTU, 19.3–19.9 mg/L, and 852–994 PtCo, respectively, using 240 mg/L of TBPF at pH 3. These results show a high potential of the new plant-based TBPF for leachate treatment and water industry applications

Plant-Based Tacca leontopetaloides Biopolymer Flocculant (TBPF) Produced High Removal of Turbidity, TSS, and Color for Leachate Treatment

Wastewater treatment is crucial to ensure a sustainable supply of clean water, especially for human use. Natural flocculants can overcome the disadvantages of chemical flocculants in wastewater treatment. This study proposes a new natural-based flocculant from the Tacca leontopetaloides plant for leachate treatment. The plant tuber was processed through gelatinization to produce Tacca leontopetaloides biopolymer flocculant (TBPF). The characterization of TBPF for flocculant properties was investigated, and the performance of TBPF on leachate treatment using a standard jar test procedure was examined at different pH values of leachate and TBPF dosages. The characteristics of TBPF in terms of amylose/amylopectin fraction, viscosity, and zeta potential were 26:74, 0.037–0.04 Pa·s, and −13.14 mV, respectively. The presence of –COOH and –OH structure in TBPF indicates the flocculant properties. TBPF reduced the turbidity, total suspended solids (TSS), and color from 218 NTU, 214 mg/L, 14201 PtCo to 45.8–54.5 NTU, 19.3–19.9 mg/L, and 852–994 PtCo, respectively, using 240 mg/L of TBPF at pH 3. These results show a high potential of the new plant-based TBPF for leachate treatment and water industry applications

Proceedings of International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022

This conference proceedings contains articles on the various research ideas of the academic & research communities presented at the International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022 (TECH POST 2022) that was held at Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia on 24-25 September 2022. TECH POST 2022 was organized by the Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya. The theme of the conference is “Embracing Innovative Engineering Technologies Towards a Sustainable Future”.  TECH POST 2022 conference is intended to foster the dissemination of state-of-the-art research from five main disciplines of Engineering: Electrical Engineering, Biomedical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, and Chemical Engineering. The objectives of TECH POST 2022 are to bring together innovative researchers from all engineering disciplines to a common forum, promote R&D activities in Engineering, and promote the dissemination of scientific knowledge and research know-how between researchers, engineers, and students. Conference Title: International Technical Postgraduate Conference 2022Conference Acronym: TECH POST 2022Conference Date: 24-25 September 2022Conference Location: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur Malaysia (Hybrid Mode)Conference Organizers: Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Malaya, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia