Ajayi, O. A.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Olakunle, M. S.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Edet, M. O.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Dabai, F. N.
Department of Chemical Engineering, Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria
Eletta, O. A.
Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Ilorin, Ilorin
ABSTRACT
Palm Kernel Fiber Ash
(PKFA) was prepared via wet beneficiation, carbonization, and calcination at
7000C for 6hrs. The PKFA was wet impregnated with Cu(NO3)
and calcined at 4500C for 3hrs. The adsorbent formed was employed in
cyanide removal from simulated wastewater. X-ray Fluorescence (XRF), X-ray Diffratograph
(XRD), Fourier Transform Infra-red (FTIR) and Scanning Electron Microscope
(SEM) were used to characterize the raw PKF, PKFA and calcined cupper
impregnated PKF, while UV spectrophotometer was used to monitor the cyanide
concentration. Batch adsorption experiments were carried out using 25ml each of
25ppm to 60ppm cyanide solutions at different contact times, temperatures and
adsorbent dosages. To establish optimum adsorption conditions, numerical
optimization approach of Box-Behnken in Response Surface Methodology (RSM) was
employed using the time, concentration, temperature and adsorbent dosages as
variables at a fixed pH of 7. Adsorption efficiency of 85.27% was obtained with
47.39ppm, adsorbent dosage of 2.82g at 42minutes contact time and temperature
of 40oC, having a desirability of 0.937. R2 of 0.8461 obtained gave an indication of a very good
correlation between the data points. The results indicated that Cu-PKFA can
serve as a good sustainable adsorbent for cyanide in wastewater.
Keywords: None
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Published
Sunday, December 31, 2017
Issue
Vol. 3 No. 2, DEC 2017
Article Section
GENERAL
The contents of the articles are the sole opinion of the author(s) and not of UJET.
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