Removal of Hg II and Cu II Ions from Aqueous Solution Using Activated Carbon Produced from Palm Fruit Fibre

E Onu Chibuike ,Okeke Onyeka ,Ezeh Ernest ,Christianah Chinenye Aniobi ,J Orji Nkechi

doi:10.7176/cmr/11-6-05

Abstract

Studies were carried out to evaluate the removal of Hg II and Cu II ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon produced from palm fruit fibre. Appropriate analytical procedure and instrumentation was applied in carrying out the batch adsorption experiment. Increase in adsorbents dosage and solution temperature was found to significantly increase the removal of the two metal ions from aqueous solution. Increase in the initial concentration of the adsorbate significantly reduced the adsorption efficiency of the adsorbent due to increase in the adsorbate concentration in the solution to the unchanging number of adsorption sides on the adsorbent. The solution pH and contact time of the adsorbate and adsorbent reached maximum removal efficiency at 6.0 and 45min respectively revealing the dependency of effective adsorption by activated carbon on these factors. The ∆S and ∆H of the adsorption were positive showing an endothermic adsorption process. The decrease in Gibbs free energy of adsorption with increase in adsorption efficiency of the activated carbon shows that effective adsorption of adsorbates favours high temperatures. Keywords: Activated carbon, Heavy metals, Cu II ions, Hg II ions Adsorption efficiency and Aqueous solution. DOI : 10.7176/CMR/11-6-05 Publication date : August 31st 2019

Highlights

With an increasing global usage and a growing demand for high purity water is fast becoming one of the most natural resources used by humans
Heavy metals are non-biodegradable and cannot be detoxified biologically. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, calcium, arsenic are very toxic to living organism at very low concentrations and have the tendency to accumulate in the body for as long as possible (Mubarak et al, 2012)
Studies was carried out to investigate the removal of Hg II and Cu II ions from aqueous solution using activated carbon produced from palm fruit fibre

Summary

Introduction

With an increasing global usage and a growing demand for high purity water is fast becoming one of the most natural resources used by humans. Water is necessary for many human activities including agriculture, industrial processes, recreation and most importantly consumption. Nowadays water pollution by heavy metals is fast growing due to natural processes and increasing human activities which include mining, agriculture and manufacturing industrial (Moyo et al, 2013). Heavy metals are non-biodegradable and cannot be detoxified biologically. Heavy metals such as mercury, lead, calcium, arsenic are very toxic to living organism at very low concentrations and have the tendency to accumulate in the body for as long as possible (Mubarak et al, 2012)

Methods

Results

Conclusion