Removal of Organic Matter from Wastewater by Adsorption using Coconut Coir as Adsorbent

The process of adsorption involves the adhesion of the pollutant (solute) to the solid surface (adsorbent). The purpose of the work is to analyse the mechanism of uptake of organic matter present in wastewater through activated material sorbent derived from various starting materials and coconut coir by varying various parameters. The phenomenon occurs due to van der Waals forces which exist between the molecules. Adsorbents for wastewater treatment included coconut coir and activated carbon. Due to the high porosity of Activated Carbon and Coconut Coir they act as an excellent adsorbent for adsorption. Coconut shells were crushed up to 50mm and heated in a Hot Air Oven at 300°C for about 45 min which removes its moisture and increases its porosity. Effluent used for the project was collected from an industry whose oxygen demand(chemical) was 440 ppm with a pH of 4.36. Batch absorption with different parameters like dosage of adsorbent, concentration and pH were studied. Adsorption increases as adsorbent levels increase. Effluent was treated with adsorbent for 90 min on a mechanical rotary shaker. 4gm of coconut coir and 5 gm of activated carbon was the optimum weight required for 50 ml of effluent for the maximum removal of matter. Percentage removal for 4 gm of coconut coir was 89.09% and 5 gm of activated carbon was 90.90%. 7.1 pH was found out to be suitable for maximum adsorption for both coconut coir and activated carbon. To evaluate adsorption data for activated carbon and coconut coir Langmuir and Freundlich Isotherm models were used.