Evaluation of Biomass Adsorbents for the Removal of Cr(VI) from Chromium-containing Wastewater: A Case Study
Author : Chua, Neil Brian Liwag
Major Adviser : Capunitan, Jewel A.
Major Co-Adviser : Herrera, Marvin U.
Committee Members : Carpio, Rowena B.; Migo, Veronica P.
Year : 2020
Month : July
Type : Thesis
Degree: BS
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Abstract
Hexavalent chromium is a known carcinogen which exists in industrial effluents. Among the available techniques in the removal of Cr(VI), adsorption is considered superior to other methods because of its easy-handling, low costing, less toxicity, and the wide availability of adsorbents that can be used. Various adsorbents such as agricultural wastes, activated carbon, polymers, and nanoparticles have been successfully used for Cr(VI) removal. The utilization of agricultural wastes has been looked into due to their lignocellulosic properties which gives them the potential for Cr(VI) removal, but recent literature applied different re-functionalization techniques for these wastes to further improve their adsorptive capacities and removal efficiencies. This case study focused on the advances in chemical modification of biomass adsorbents using polyaniline as a coating, examined the different challenges and limitations of using such adsorbents encountered from literature, and discussed the possible future directions for these adsorbents. Analysis of data from literature showed that increasing pH decreases the percent removal of Cr(VI). On the other hand, increasing initial Cr(VI) concentration and adsorbent dosage increases the percent removal of Cr(VI). However, further increase in initial Cr(VI) concentration and adsorbent dosage from the maximal value results to a decrease in removal efficiency and adsorption capacity, respectively. Isotherm studies resulted to a satisfactory fit for both Langmuir and Freundlich isotherm models through the analysis of the regression coefficient, R2, and chi-square analysis was done in which a lower X2 determined the more significant model. It was concluded that PANI-coated agricultural wastes possess great potential on the removal of Cr(VI) from chromium-containing wastewater.
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