Resource recovery from palm kernel shell and its application for wastewater treatment: a circular economy approach

Abstract

In this study, cationic Methylene Blue (MB) dye removal was investigated through a batch adsorption process using a ternary adsorbent developed from palm oil biomass, graphene oxide, and iron oxide (M-PKSGO). Box-Behnken Design (BBD) was applied for modelling and analyzing the effects of independent operational parameters including pH of initial MB dye solution, M-PKSGO dosage and adsorption time on dye removal and adsorption capacity. The experimental results show an adsorption capacity of 82.7 mg/g was achieved using 1 g/L of M-PKSGO with 135 min at pH 11. Hence, the M-PKSGO composite is proven as an effective adsorbent for cationic dye removal from wastewater. The utilization of biomass from the palm oil industries promotes a circular economy via resource recovery activities. Overall, this work brings to light the opportunities created by green adsorbents in promoting a circular economy and stimulates further research and development in this highly pertinent field.