Comparative Study on the Removal of Oxytetracycline From Aqueous Solution by Adsorption Using Commercial and Cacao Bean Shell Derived Activated Carbon
Author : Tabing, Abraham Agduyeng
Major Adviser : Arocena, Rhebner E.
Committee Members : Alfafara, Catalino G.; Capunitan, Jewel A.; Migo-Sumagang, Maria Victoria P.
Year : 2016
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
This study compared the removal of oxytetracycline (OTC) in aqueous solution using commercial activated carbon and cacao bean shell (CBS)-derived activated carbon. The CBS activated carbon was produced using hydrochloric acid as chemical agent and through thermal activation at 700 °C. The effect of several parameters such as adsorbent type, initial OTC concentration, and initial pH, were studied. It was observed that the initial OTC concentration, initial pH, and the interaction of the adsorbent and initial pH, have significant effects on the removal of OTC in aqueous solution. The highest removal observed was 47.79 mg ± 7.06 mg OTC, using commercial activated carbon at pH 8 and 500 ppm initial concentration. The CBS activated carbon was subjected to SEM and FTIR analyses, and the SEM micrographs showed the surface of the CBS activated carbon to be highly porous, while the FTIR spectra revealed hydroxyl and carboxyl groups to be present on its surfaces. The equilibrium data was also fitted using different isotherms, and was found out that type 1 Langmuir isotherm gave the best fit, with a coefficient of determination, R², value of 0.9573, and a maximum adsorption capacity, qₘₐₓ, value of 274.35 mg OTC per gram CBS activated carbon. The separation factor, Rₗ value of 0.0053 indicate that the adsorption of OTC onto the CBS activated carbon is favourable. Lastly, the production cost of the CBS activated carbon was estimated to be Php 840 per kilogram, which was significantly higher compared to other commercially available activated carbons.
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