Agricultural Waste Materials Research Articles

Applications of agricultural residue biochars to removal of toxic gases emitted from chemical plants: A review

Crop residues are representative agricultural waste materials, massively generated in the world. However, a large fraction of them is currently being wasted, though they have a high potential to be used as a value-added carbon-rich material. Also, the applications of carbon-rich materials from agricultural waste to industries can have economic benefit because waste-derived carbon materials are considered inexpensive waste materials. In this review, valorization methods for crop residues as carbon-rich materials (i.e., biochars) and their applications to industrial toxic gas removals are discussed. Applications of crop residue biochars to toxic gas removal can have significant environmental benefits and economic feasibility. As such, this review discussed the technical advantages of the use of crop residue biochars as adsorbents for hazardous gaseous pollutants and greenhouse gases (GHGs) stemmed from combustion of fossil fuels and the different refinery processes. Also, the practical benefits from the activation methods in line with the biochar properties were comprehensively discussed. The relationships between the physico-chemical properties of biochars and the removal mechanisms of gaseous pollutants (H2S, SO2, Hg0, and CO2) on biochars were also highlighted in this review study. Porosity controls using physical and chemical activations along with the addition of specific functional groups and metals on biochars have significantly contributed to the enhancement of flue gas adsorption. The adsorption capacity of biochar for each toxic chemical was in the range of 46–76 mg g−1 for H2S, 40–182 mg g−1 for SO2, 80–952 μg g−1 for Hg0, and 82–308 mg g−1 CO2, respectively. This helps to find suitable activation methods for adsorption of the target pollutants. In the last part, the benefits from the use of biochars and the research directions were prospectively provided to make crop residue biochars more practical materials in adsorption of pollutant gases.

Evaluation of pozzolanic activity of ternary blended supplementary cementitious material with rice husk ash and GGBS

The utilization of industrial and agricultural waste materials as supplementary cementitious material in blended cements provides an adequate solution for reducing the greenhouse emission and the environment concerns associated with waste management. Few literatures have been reported on the partial substitution of cement with the blended usage of mineral admixtures such as GGBS and RHA in cement mortars. The effect of blended usage of the mineral admixture as partial replacement of cement are investigated based on the physical and pozzolanic properties of ternary blended cement mortar. An optimal proportion of RHA -GGBS blended supplementary cementitious material is proposed based on strength activity index for utilizing them in ternary blended cement. The blended supplementary cementitious material with 30% rice husk ash and 70% ground granulated blast furnace slag as constituent materials are identified as the optimal proportion for achieving better pozzolanic activity.

A cradle to cradle approach towards remediation of uranium from water using carbonized arecanut husk fiber.

Sustainable materials for remediation of pollutants from water is the need of the hour. In this study two carbonaceous adsorbents prepared through hydrothermal carbonisation and pyrolysis from arecanut husk fiber, an agricultural waste material were used for the adsorption of uranium from water. Batch adsorption data as interpreted using the Langmuir model showed adsorption capacities of 250 mg g-1 and 200 mg g-1 respectively at pH 6 for the hydrochar (AHFC) and the pyrochar (AHFT) exceeding that reported for most of the unmodified biochars. The adsorption followed pseudo-second order kinetics and was exothermic in nature. The high selectivity and excellent removal efficiencies on application to environmental ground water samples and good regeneration capacity make these sorbents promising eco-friendly materials for uranium remediation from water.

Evaluation of the use of agricultural waste materials as low-cost and eco-friendly sorbents to remove dyes from water: a review

Evaluation of the use of agricultural waste materials as low-cost and eco-friendly sorbents to remove dyes from water: a review

Influence of Local Additives on Water Based Drilling Mud: A Review

This review paper focuses on the use of local additives in water-based drilling mud to reduce environmental impact and improve drilling operations. Drilling mud plays a crucial role in drilling operations by acting as a coolant, carrying drilled particles, stabilizing the wellbore, and preventing wellbore issues. However, poorly formulated drilling mud can lead to drilling difficulties and environmental pollution. Therefore, the exploration of organic-based drilling mud additives, sourced locally in Nigeria, is discussed in this paper.it highlights the potential of transforming organic waste materials, such as rice husk, cassava, corn cobs, and more, into usable products for drilling mud. By utilizing these locally sourced organic materials, the environmental impact of drilling waste can be minimized. The importance of waste management in the oil and gas industry is emphasized, as it is crucial for sustainable drilling practices. The paper further discusses various studies and experiments conducted on the use of local polymers and natural materials as substitutes for imported additives in water-based drilling mud. These materials include cassava starches, agro-waste materials, eco-friendly drilling fluid additives, and various plant-based substances. The performance and effectiveness of these materials are evaluated in terms of viscosity control and fluid loss prevention. The results indicate that many of these local polymers and natural materials can be viable and have shown positive results in terms of improving the rheological and filtration characteristics of the mud, reducing fluid loss, and enhancing overall mud qualities. Earlier studies on the use of agro-waste products as additives in drilling fluids are reviewed in this paper. These studies examine the properties affected by local materials, the type of mud used, and the findings of each study. The economic analysis of using agro-waste materials as drilling additives is also discussed. The conclusion highlights the availability and affordability of agricultural waste materials as potential substitutes for traditional drilling additives, which can help reduce drilling costs. The paper also provides recommendations for future research in this area.

Mobile Rice Husk Gasifier Performance and Techno-Economic Analysis as Micro Scale Power Generation: Modeling and Experiment

Indonesia annually produces significant amounts of biomass waste in the agriculture sector. Rice husk, one of the highest produced agricultural waste materials, has sufficient caloric value to produce syngas in a gasification system to generate sustainable energy. However, the production of tar from rice husk gasification is significantly high, damaging the equipment and internal combustion engine. This study carried out performance analysis on a small-scale rice husk gasifier. A simulation provided a syngas composition overview and showed a maximum LHV value of 6.47 MJ/Nm3 at ER 0.25, and a maximum CGE value of 83% at a temperature of 900 ℃. Furthermore, the economic aspect of integrating renewable technology was also considered. The gasifier had an LCOE value ranging from 0.014 to 0.089 USD/kW, depending on the use of the gasifier. The feasibility of using a mobile rice husk gasifier was also inspected, based on net present value, benefit-to-cost ratio, and payback period.

Evaluation of pozzolanic reactivity of maize straw ash as a binder supplement in concrete

Cementitious materials, irrespective of their sources, play a vital role in cement hydration reaction in concrete. Hence, it is critical to understand how each supplement affects the early and later age properties of concrete. Maize Straw Ash (MSA), being a material with minimal consideration as a pozzolan for partial replacement of cement, was evaluated based on different researcher’s reports. A range of outcomes involving the use of maize straw ash as replacement materials in concrete were examined based on their impact on concrete in the early and later stages, and the findings were presented in addition to assisting in their future use. The impact of pozzolanic material on both mechanical and durability property were analysed, and how certain treatment methods influence the property of concrete in the early and later period. The data revealed that maize straw ash has comparable behaviour when given the same treatment technique before use, ability to increase strength over a long duration compared with other Agricultural waste (agro) materials, and likewise act as a void filler when concrete hardens to improve durability, with the usage of these materials for optimal strength not exceeding 20% replacement, shrinkage control not exceeding 30%, and 10–15% for good workability. At (500–800 °C calcination heat), the pozzolanic reaction produces good results.

Effect of Alum Sludge (AS) and Palm Kernel Ash (PKA) with Coconut Shell as Partial Replacement of Aggregates

At present, there is a high demand for concretes with varying properties. Generally, concrete with high durability can be produced by considering the constituents of the concrete, such as cement, sand, aggregates, and water. The quality of concrete is also dependent on the mix design and production method, such as transporting and pouring of concrete. In recent years, the developed countries have been focusing on the issue of sustainability in construction to create a healthier environment and reduce the environmental impact of a building throughout its lifetime while optimizing its economic viability and ensuring the comfort and safety of the occupants. One way to achieve sustainability is using agricultural waste material such as palm oil fuel ash, rice husk, fly ash slag, sludge, and coconut shell in concrete production. This study performs a series of tests to investigate the effect of using alum sludge (AS) and palm kernel ash (PKA) with coconut shells as a partial replacement of aggregates. The concrete samples were subjected to compressive strength, flexural strength, rebound hammer, ultrasonic pulse velocity, water permeability, water absorption, carbonation, alkali-silica reaction, SEM, and shrinkage tests.

The Effectiveness of a Simulation Model of Thermal Insulation in Building Materials Using Cellulose Extracted from Agricultural Waste in Baghdad

This study found that one of the constructive, necessary, beneficial, most effective, and cost-effective ways to meet the great challenge of rising energy prices is to develop and improve energy quality and efficiency. The process of improving the quality of energy and its means has been carried out in many buildings and around the world. It was found that the thermal insulation process in buildings and educational facilities has become the primary tool for improving energy efficiency, enabling us to improve and develop the internal thermal environment quality processes recommended for users (student - teacher). An excellent and essential empirical study has been conducted to calculate the fundamental values ​​of thermal conductivity coefficient for different types of cement mortar, including the different concentrations of cellulosic fibers. And in our study, those cellulosic fibers obtained from sugarcane and sugarcane residues (agricultural waste materials) were used. The percentage is 10%; 20% and 30% of cellulose fibers were added to the cement mixtures. Then the differences are measured, specifically in the physical properties (heat capacity, density, and thermal conductivity coefficient) for 28 days. The Design-Builder program also implemented a precise simulation of the thermal loads of the external envelope of the educational building that is exposed to direct sunlight before and after the insulation process. It was found that with the use of thermal insulation material (meaning the cellulosic fiber technology) mixed with the cement mortar layer of the educational building, the given value of the heat transfer coefficient W/m2 Kelvin decreased by 47.2%. Accordingly, this contributed significantly to a significant and very significant saving in the values ​​of electrical energy consumption by 11.9% for cooling and heating operations and to reducing dangerous carbon dioxide emissions by 52.2%. The simulation has shown that applying thermal insulation techniques to all buildings and educational facilities is highly recommended to save a large consumption in the value of electrical energy and the costs of waste materials and to ensure integrated protection for the ecosystem.

A review on cement concrete strength incorporated with agricultural waste

The agricultural sector accounts for over 58% of the total GDP of India. Nearly 16% of India's GDP comes from this industry (GDP). India's agriculture industry has flourished because of the country's abundant arable land and variety of suitable growing environments. Studies show that agricultural waste material, when properly processed, possesses the pozzolanic properties which makes them suitable to be utilized as a partial substitute of cement content by weight in the production of cement concrete. In the present study, the availability and effect of agricultural wastes on the strength of cement concrete has been discussed and it was found that partial substitution of agricultural waste materials such as sugarcane bagasse ash, rice husk ash and palm oil fuel ash with cement content can reduce annual global consumption of cement by approximately 121 million tons, while maintaining the desirable properties of cement concrete.

Rice Husk Ash Reinforced Aluminium Metal Matrix Composites: A Review

Metal matrix composite materials are a novel material generation capable of handling the implementation of advanced technology's growing needs. Aluminium-based metal matrix composites are widely used in automobiles and aerospace, as well as other industries, including defence and marine systems, due to their relatively low processing costs as compared to other matrices such as magnesium, copper, titanium, and zinc. Ceramic particles were shown to improve mechanical properties like hardness and tensile strength. The product's compactness and price, however, were both boosted. Agricultural waste materials are widely available today in significant amounts, and researchers have focused on using wastes as reinforcing fillers in composites to counteract pollution. Rice husk ash added to an aluminium alloy matrix increases the composite's mechanical properties while also increasing its wear resistance. According to scanning electron micrographs of the composite, the ash from rice husks is evenly distributed all over the aluminium matrix. Wear can vary from micro-cutting to oxidation at high temperatures in an aluminium alloy. Strain fields are produced and composite material wear resistance is improved due to the difference in coefficients of thermal expansion between the matrix and reinforcing materials. This study focuses on the production process, properties, and performance of an aluminium alloy composite incorporating rice husk ash, which has high hardness as well as wear resistance.

Mechanical properties of rice husk ash, an environmental pollutant, based composites: A step towards sustainable hybrid composites

ABSTRACT There is a dual perspective regarding agricultural materials. The first one is regarding the removal of certain chemical elements for specific applications, and the second one is regarding the recovery of certain elements to make them more appealing. The most appropriate use of agricultural and industrial waste materials demands the development of knowledge insights as a requirement for setting up of demonstration plants on a pilot basis and large-scale industrial adoption resulting in all associated socio-economic benefits. The Stir casting method is employed to fabricate the Metal Matrix Composites (MMCs) material for the application of various industrial products. In the present paper, Aluminum (Al6061) hybrid composite is fabricated and reinforced with Silicon Carbide (SiC), Alumina (Al2O3), Zirconia (ZrSiO4) and agro-waste material, such as Rice Husk Ash (RHA) particles of various configurations. The amount of reinforcement varies SiC (0–2.5 wt%), Al2O3 (0–1.1 wt%), ZrSiO4 (0–0.5 wt%) and RHA (0–1.4 wt%). The effect of reinforcement SiC, Al2O3, ZrSiO4 and RHA on ultimate tensile strength (σut), yield strength (σyt), elongation, breaking strength (σb) and hardness has been studied. Experimental results revealed that hybrid metal matrix composites are improved for σut and σyt by 45.03% and 82.1%. The elongation and hardness of the composite are also enhanced by 19.43% and 12.72% from the base material.

Analysis of the thermoelectrical performance of samples made of Coir Agricultural Wastes combined with MWCNT

A biomaterial made of coir and Multi-Walled Carbon Nanotubes (MWCNTs) is presented which exhibits a relatively high-Temperature Coefficient of Resistance (TCR) and thermal insulation properties. Bolometers usually offer acceptable thermal isolation, electrical resistance, and high TCR. Fibers from agricultural waste materials such as coir has a synergistic effect as thermal insulating material and noise reducer. Based on it, powdered coir pills were used as pilot samples, as well as 2 other samples with different dispersions of MWCNTs, sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate (SDBS) and polyvinylpyrrolidone (PVP) solution. The 3 kinds of samples were thermo-electrically characterized to determine their bolometric performance. Thermal conductivity of k = 0.045 W/m K was obtained by solving the Fourier’s law substituting the data into the equation describing heat flux on the sample around room temperature. Results show that adding different concentrations of MWCNT to powdered coir will lead to films with lower electrical resistance, therefore the thermal conductivity increases while thermal resistance decreases. Finally, the bolometric performance shows a maximum peak with a relatively high TCR of − 40.4% at a temperature of 300.3 K, this synthesized material outperforms by almost 1 order of magnitude larger than commercial materials. Results in this work also indicate that it is possible to tune bolometric parameters of this kind of samples and to use them as thermal insulators in the construction industry, when building roofs and walls.

Properties and Analysis of Gaseous Alternative Fuels II: Fuels Based on Natural Gas and Biogas

The importance of alternative energy sources is constantly growing, especially due to the ever-increasing energy consumption of mankind and due to the effort to replace existing sources with more environmentally friendly ones. This article is another in a series of articles focused on an overview of technical requirements and testing methods for alternative gaseous, liquid, and solid fuels. This series of articles aims to provide an overview of the required properties of individual alternative fuels, the possibilities of their analysis, and the significance of individual analyzes. This article provides an overview of the technical requirements prescribed by legislation and relevant standards for automotive fuels based on natural gas (fossil methane) and biomethane. Furthermore, prescribed analytical tests are presented, which have been used to monitor the quality of these fuels. To a lesser extent, the importance of selected analytical tests is also discussed. Natural gas can be compressed or liquefied for use in automobile transport. In the first case, CNG fuel is obtained, and in the second, LNG. As a source of renewable methane or biomethane, biogas can be used, which is produced by anaerobic fermentation of agricultural waste or other raw materials in biogas plants. The obtained biogas can be used for the combined production of heat and energy. Alternatively, it can be purified into biomethane, which can be injected into the natural gas distribution network or used in automobile transport in the form of bio-CNG and bio-LNG. In general, it can be stated that the analysis of fuels based on natural gas and biomethane is well managed. Instrumental equipment and analytical methods used for natural gas analysis can be used to analyze these fuels. The properties of fuels based on natural gas and biomethane are closely related to their composition. In terms of proper operation and performance of the combustion engine, the lower heating value, Wobbe number, and methane number are critical parameters. An important parameter is also the sulfane content, increased content of which can lead to corrosion of engine components. In terms of emissions, the total sulfur content is an important parameter also. Sulfur compounds are undesirable in emissions for environmental reasons. At the same time, they are also catalytic poisons. Other critical parameters of fuels based on natural gas and bio-methane are the water content or dew point of water.

Physico-chemical properties of activated charcoal derived from a blend of agricultural waste material

The wide differences in the densities, nature of the agricultural wastes or precursor materials and their carbon content means that activated charcoal (AC) yield, and physico-chemical properties could vary considerably among activated charcoals produced from different agricultural residues necessitating the evaluation of the physical and chemical properties of activated charcoals produced from different feedstocks. The objective of the present study was therefore to evaluate the physico-chemical properties of activated charcoal produced from a blend of pig dung, palm kernel shell, and palm fruit fibre for possible use as feed additives in poultry feed. The physical properties of the produced activated charcoal were activated charcoal yield, moisture content, pH, bulk density, water-holding capacity, specific gravity, oil adsorption capacity and surface area with values as 71.0%, 5.37%, 7.67, 0.72, 77.46%, 0.73, 118.47% and 587cm2/g respectively. The chemical properties comprised of carbon content (79.43%), calcium (6185.11mg/kg), phosphorus (18603.29mg/kg), sodium (1722.47mg/kg), potassium (10275.48mg/kg), magnesium (3980.14mg/kg), manganese (721.00mg/kg), iron (996.35mg/kg), zinc (95.47mg/kg), copper (33.69mg/kg),arsenic (13.38mg/kg) and nitrogen (3008.04mg/kg). The values of the physical parameters obtained in this study were adjudged to be suitable for adsorption purposes in poultry and water treatment operations.

Potential Assessment of E-Waste Plastic in Metakaolin Based Geopolymer Using Petrography Image Analysis

Concrete’s binder can be substituted with rice husk ash, metakaolin, kaolin clay, GGBS, and other agricultural and industrial byproducts and waste materials, which lowers greenhouse gas emissions, namely carbon dioxide (CO2). When employed in the manufacturing of concrete, the aforementioned items reduce the amount of water required and have no discernible impact on the material’s long-term performance. Combination of metakaolin and class-F fly ash is taken for this experimental study to create geopolymer concrete, as both the materials are very good sources of alumino-silicates, which is the foremost requirement for the material to be the binder in geopolymer concrete. Also, the percentage replacement of crushed aggregates with crushed E-waste plastic (EWP) is are created for making the concrete eco-friendlier as the EWP is a big problem for us to dispose of it. To activate raw ingredients and mixing of concrete, alkaline solution is used, made from sodium hydroxide (NaOH) and water glass solution, i.e., sodium silicate (Na2SiO3). Low molarity metakaolin geopolymer concrete (MGPC) was created to have benefits over standard cement concrete in terms of performance, durability, and mechanical properties. This study describes the findings of a comprehensive experimental test and analysis to investigate the characteristics of MGPC-EWP with a change in different factors of the mix design. The study’s findings demonstrated that MGPC performance is closely correlated with its molarity, as the molarity increases, the mechanical strengths of the MGPC also increases. Also, the optimum percentages of the EWP are to be incorporated in the MGPC. This study also uses the petrographic image analysis to validate the geopolymerization products forms in the MGPC and check the microstructure growth of geopolymerization of particles with age. The petrographic image analysis provides photographs of the microstructure of hydration products of the samples with good details. As the petrographic microscope is very affordable as compared to the SEM setup and requires less skilled worker, it comes out to be a good approach for the microstructural analysis.

Plant biomass as potential economic commodities for agricultural purposes.

The world’s population is growing continually and is projected to reach nine billion by the year 2050. This growth rate requires increased and economically viable food production and an adequate supply of quality water to sustain life. Increased food production and supply of water require adding fertilizers and possible recycling of wastewater, to address the improvement of soils’ nutritional status and potable water shortages, respectively. The objectives of this work were to determine the nutrients in sewage-impacted wastewater, borehole water, agricultural waste, and commercial fertilizer (control) materials, and their heavy metal content was also carried out to determine their suitability for use. In addition, Moringa seed pods and Morula nutshells were investigated as a bioremedial approach for the removal of toxic metals from aqueous samples. An attempt to regenerate sorbent was made since the saturated sorbents that contain the metal ions are not safe for disposal as they can pollute the environment. Nutrients were analyzed by HPLC, while metals were analyzed using a Varian 220FS Atomic Absorption Spectrometer operated with air/acetylene. Nonedible agricultural materials were found to contain appreciable amounts of plant nutrients such as nitrates (NO3 -), nitrites (NO2 -), and phosphates (PO4 3-) as well as metal ions such as magnesium, copper, and zinc, which are beneficial for plant growth. Results obtained from analysis of sewage water effluent showed that heavy metal and nutrient concentrations decreased in the treatment stage. The utilization of Moringa oleifera seed pods for metal removal from wastewater is viable and would reduce costs for waste disposal and can offer alternatives to conventional methods for the removal of unwanted or toxic species from the environment. It showed potential for removing selected metal ions such as Pb, Cd, Cu, Fe, and Zn from polluted water. This organically treated wastewater is environmentally friendly and may be used for applications which do not require potable water, such as irrigating golf courses, lawns, and crops, or for industrial purposes, if proper measures are taken to ensure its quality.

A review on application of low-cost adsorbents for heavy metals removal from wastewater

Environmental pollution has been determined to be the root cause of a large number of deaths and illnesses around the world. Heavy metals in wastewater have been a major problem in recent years due to their hazardous effects. Human health, living resources, and ecological systems are all at risk because of the increasing levels of hazardous metals that are being released into the environment as industrial wastes. Heavy metals in wastewater are strictly regulated by environmental organizations and authorities due to their harmful health impacts and toxicological properties. As a result, adequate safeguards must be taken, and technologies for detecting, quantifying, and removing heavy metals from effluent waterways must be developed. The most prevalent method for removing heavy metals from wastewater is adsorption. As a result of recent advances in adsorption technology, it's a potential wastewater treatment method. In recent years, the utilization of agricultural waste materials has grown in popularity. Due to their physicochemical and nontoxic properties, agricultural wastes have the potential to be employed as adsorbents. A low-cost adsorbent made from agricultural waste is one of the most common applications for agricultural waste products. This review provides anoverview of applications for various agricultural waste materials added to their ability to absorb heavy metals. The different properties of agricultural waste materials are also summarized. The review article also covered the treatment procedure’s effectiveness, difficulties, effects on the environment and public health, and other elements. The process parameters, the adsorption isotherm, and the adsorption kinetics are all thoroughly discussed. In this review, it has been shown that several heavy metals can be effectively removed from wastewater using inexpensive adsorbents.

Investigation the properties of sustainable ultra-high-performance basalt fibre self-compacting concrete incorporating nano agricultural waste under normal and elevated temperatures

Producing sustainable concrete using waste materials has a noticeable impact on the environment. From another aspect, understanding the effect of high temperature on concrete can help in reduce the environmental fire impact and lower rehabilitation costs. This study presents a systematic experimental investigation to produce sustainable ultra-high-performance basalt fibre self-compacting concrete (UHPBF-SCC) using agricultural waste materials including nano sugar cane bagasse, nano cotton stalk ash and nano rice straw ash as cement replacement. The three dosages of nanoparticles are mechanically produced after heat treatment at 700°C. The performance of the three dosages of nanoparticles (partially replacing 1–5% of cement) was investigated in the presence of basalt fibre. This study also examines the effect of elevated temperatures of 300°C and 600°C on the behaviour of UHPBF-SCC. The physical properties, including passing ability, flowability and segregation resistance, were studied. Compressive strength, strength loss at elevated temperature, mass loss, ultrasonic pulse velocity, splitting, and flexure strength were also investigated. Scanning electron microscopy (SEM) and energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDX) analysis were conducted to show the microstructure of the mixes. Mechanical characteristics are significantly increased in the presence of nanoparticles, more than 18% in compressive, 32% in tensile strength and 28% in flexure strength compared with the reference mix. SEM analysis showed compacted sections with high bonded matrix and high ITZ at normal conditions, but microcrack propagation appeared at 300°C and 600°C due to ettringite decomposition and evaporation of capillary and adsorbed water. EDX analysis showed high Ca/Si with the addition of nanomaterials.

Chitosan impregnation of coconut husk biochar pellets improves their nutrient removal from eutrophic surface water

The presence of excess nutrients in water resources can be harmful to human health and aquatic ecosystems. To develop an affordable water treatment method, the agricultural waste material coconut husk was converted into a low-cost adsorbent by thermal conversion to biochar, pelletized without (CH), and with chitosan (CHC), or eggshell powder (CHEG) modifications. The physical and chemical properties of all adsorbents were characterized using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface analysis, Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, scanning electron microscopy, pHzpc, iodine number and elemental analysis. The adsorption of ammonium (NH4+), nitrate (NO3−), and phosphate (PO43−) in single and mixed solute solutions was investigated for initial concentrations of 10 mg L− 1. Langmuir, Freundlich, Sips, Dubinin-Radushkevich (D-R) and BET isotherm models were used to investigate the adsorption mechanisms. The maximum adsorption capacity of NH4+ on CH, CHC, and CHEG from mixed solute solution was 5.0, 4.7 and 5.9 mg g− 1, respectively, while the adsorption capacity of mixed:single solute solution was 0.95, 0.93, and 1.04, respectively. CH, CHC, and CHEG had greater ability to remove the cation NH4+ than anions NO3− and PO43− from aqueous solution. The highest maximum adsorption capacity for anions NO3− and PO43− was found on CHEG (1.7 mg g− 1) and CH (6.7 mg g− 1), respectively. NH4+ and NO3− were bound by chemisorption as indicated by D-R isotherm E values (> 8 kJ mol− 1), and enthalpy ∆H values (> 80 kJ mol− 1). In contrast, PO43− adsorption was mainly by physical interaction, including pore-filling, and electrostatic attraction. Pseudo first order and pseudo second order models provided good fits of the sorption kinetics data (R2 > 0.9). The initial concentrations of NH4+, NO3−, and PO43− in surface water sampled from a canal in Bangkok were 10.4, 1.2, and 3.9 mg L− 1, respectively, which indicated eutrophication. At a dose of 20 g L− 1, CHC achieved the best nutrient removal from this surface water, by 24% for NH4+, 25% for NO3−, and 66% for PO43− after 48 h contact, respectively.