Kinetic study of activated carbon from palm kernel shell for copper removal

Abstract

The production of alternative activated carbon has been resolved to replace the costly activated carbon to remove unwanted heavy metals from contaminated water at low cost. Heavy metals are very toxicity and can harm human body. The environmental pollution became increase due to the discharge of wastewater including heavy metals and toxic nature of copper affects water resources. In this study, activated carbon produced locally from palm kernel shell was examined for the copper removal from aqueous solution by using adsorption process. Palm kernel shell not just available to get but inexpensive material that have ash content, fixed carbon, high carbon and low inorganic content. Adsorption studies conducted in completely to shown the ability of the produced activated carbon to remove copper from aqueous solutions in certain range of pH. The investigation was carried out by studying the influence of pH (1-5), adsorbent dosage (0.3-1.5 g) and initial concentration (150-350 mg/L). The result of the study shown that activated carbon from palm kernel shell with large surface area has high percentage capacity of copper removal compared to small surface area. From the result showed that the optimum parameters for maximum removal efficiency were follows as adsorbent dose (1.5 g), pH (5) and initial concentration (150 mg/L). Based on the batch adsorption experiment, the adsorption isotherm studies indicated that Langmuir model fits better for the present case. While adsorption kinetic indicated that pseudo second order model is the best for the present case.