Batch studies on the adsorption of Cr, Cd and Pb ions from industrial wastewater using raffia palm seeds activated carbon

Abstract

The adsorption of chromium (Cr), cadmium (Cd) and lead (Pb) ion onto raffia palm seeds activated carbon were studied under various conditions such as contact time and adsorbent dosage. The physico-chemical properties of the raffia palm seed activated carbon were determined. Cr, Cd and Pb removal efficiency of the raffia palm seeds adsorbent were 100%, 98.7% and 99.2% respectively at the optimum contact time of 80 minutes using the optimum adsorbent dose of 20 g/l for Cr and 30 g/l for Cd and Pb. The sorption data fitted well into Langmuir isotherm which was very suitable for describing the sorption equilibrium with high regression values. This study showed that raffia palm seeds activated carbon is suitable for the adsorption of the metals ions and as such could be used as a cost effective adsorbent in the treatment of industrial wastewater.