Investigation of Chromium Removal Efficiency from aqueous Solution Using of Powdered Activated Carbon Produced using Ultrasonic Waves

Abstract

Background and Aim: Activated carbon is a most common adsorbent. By emerging of new technologies, the activated carbon production methods need to be improved. The aim of this study was producing powdered activated carbon from Peganum Harmala seed under ultrasound waves for activation and its application for chromium removal from aqueous solutions. Materials and Methods: This experimental study was conducted in a batch reactor. The Peganum Harmala seeds were used for activated carbon production and Ultrasonic waves were used to activation. The BET test was done in order to determine of the specific surface area of produced activated carbon. The most important variables affecting the adsorption process were examined. For Cr(VI) determining UV/VIS Spectrophotometer T80+ at a wavelength of 540 nm was used. Data analysis was performed by Excel software. Results: The BET test results showed that the specific surface area of produced ​​activated carbon is 442m2/g. The optimum pH of solution to adsorption process by both raw powder of Peganum Harmala seeds and produced powdered activated carbon adsorbents was equal 2. Adsorption data for both adsorbents were best fitted to the pseudo-second order kinetic and parameter of K2 for the produced powdered activated carbon was obtained two times more than K2 for raw powdered Peganum Harmala seed. Conclusion: The results showed that ultrasound is very effective in activation of carbon and produced activated carbon have high adsorption rate and specific surface area, it and can be used as an appropriate adsorbent for removal of hexavalent chromium.

Keywords

• Activated carbon
• Peganum Harmala seed
• Ultrasonic
• Chromium