Study on Adsorption Activity of Activated Carbon Prepared from Groundnut Shell for Colour Removal of Cottage Textile Industrial Effluent

Abstract

In this research, the adsorbent (activated groundnut shell carbon) was prepared from groundnut shells for the removal of colour in cottage textile industrial effluents. Activated groundnut shell carbon (AGC) was prepared by carbonization at 600◦C for 30 minutes and activation with 2N H2SO4. Physico-chemical properties of activated groundnut shell carbon was measured by SEM. Then, selected different process parameters like effect of pH, adsorbent dosage, contact time and initial effluent concentration were investigated for adsorption study to reduce colour in cottage textile industrial effluent. Colour removal efficiencies of activated groundnut shell carbon were determined by using UV spectrophotometer. Treated cottage industrial effluents were characterized by biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD). Heavy metal contents of treated cottage textile industrial effluents were analyzed by atomic absorption spectroscopy (AAS). Results indicated that AGC was strongly colour adsorbed at pH-4. Maximum colour removal efficiency (99.8 %) of AGC was obtained by treating with the amount of 1.2 g for the contact time of 2 hr. Results suggested that BOD and COD contents of cottage textile industrial effluents were efficiently reduced to (30.77%), and Cd to (44 %) by AGC