Adsorption and Treatment of Organic Contaminants using Activated Carbon from Waste Nigerian Bamboo.

The adsorption and treatment of organic contaminants using activated carbon from waste Nigerian bamboo was investigated. Waste Nigerian bamboo was carbonized at 400°C-500°C and activated with acid at 800°C to produce granular activated carbon (GAC). Adsorption of organics from the refinery waste on the activated carbon produced was examined at 28oC. The experimental batch equilibrium data was correlated by Freundlich and Langmuir isotherms. The adsorption data fitted well into the Freundlich isotherm. Breakthrough time of about 1.5 hours was observed for the fixed bed adsorption process. The organic concentration expressed as chemical oxygen demand (COD) was reduced from an initial value of 378 mg/l to 142 mg/l for the first hour, 143 mg/l for the second hour, 152 mg/l for the third and fourth hours, and 156 mg/l for the final hour., which also compare favorably with the refinery effluent specification of 150 mg/l Results from the study shows that waste Nigerian bamboo can be converted into high capacity adsorbent and used for the remediation of polluted industrial waste waters. @ JASEM