Removal of Zn2+from Electroplating Wastewater Using Modified Wood Sawdust and Sugarcane Bagasse

Abstract

This paper describes the preparation of new adsorbents derived from sugarcane bagasse and wood sawdust (Manilkara sp.) to remove zinc (II) ions from electroplating wastewater. The first part deals with the chemical modification of sugarcane bagasse and wood sawdust, using succinic anhydride to introduce carboxylic acid functions into the material. The obtained materials (modified sugarcane bagasse MB2 and modified wood sawdust MS2) were then characterized by infrared spectroscopy (IR) and used in adsorption experiments. The adsorption experiments evaluates Zn2+ removal from aqueous single metal solution and real electroplating wastewater on both batch and continuous experiments using fixed-bed columns prepared in laboratorial scale with the obtained adsorbents. Adsorption isotherms were then developed using Langmuir model and the Thomas kinetic model. The calculated Zn2+ adsorption capacities were found to be 145mg∕g for MS2 and 125mg∕g for MB2 in single metal aqueous solution, whereas for the industrial wastewater these values were 61mg∕g for MS2 and 55mg∕g for MB2.