Copper Metal Removal using Sludge Activated Carbon Derived from Wastewater Treatment Sludge

Abstract

In Malaysia, according to perspective sludge production factor (SPF), wastewater treatment plants produces about 5.3 million m3 of sewage sludge annually, most of this sludge are being wasted (unused) in the landfills. This study employed the use of dry activated sludge as low-cost adsorbent for the removal of copper Cu (II) from wastewater. Adsorption of Cu (II) by sludge activated carbon (SAC) was conducted using batch tests. The effect of contact time and adsorbent dosage on the removal of Cu (II)) from wastewater were investigated. Initial metal concentration was maintained at 100 mg/L. The removal efficiency was found to have relations with the initial Cu (II) concentration, contact time as well as the SAC dosage. The adsorption kinetics of the Cu (II) by SAC was found to follow pseudo-second-order kinetic model, indicating chemisorption process. The adsorption isotherms studies indicated that the adsorption of Cu (II) by SAC adsorbent was well described by Langmuir isotherm model having correlation of determination (R2) value of 0.9985 at 12hrs equilibrium period. Optimum conditions for Cu (II) removal was achieved at SAC dosages of 10 g/L, contact time 12 hours and at initial Cu (II) concentration of 100 mg/L, respectively. The study indicated that sludge activated carbon can be used as an adsorbent for the removal of Cu (II) from aqueous solution.