Preparation and characterization of Gigantochloa robusta activated carbon to reduce COD levels of pharmaceutical waste

Abstract

Activated carbon prepared from Gigantochloa robusta was studied to reduce Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) levels in pharmaceutical-liquid waste. Physical activator was used to produce Activated Carbon (AC) in temperature regulation of 750 C retort for 60 minutes. Dosage of AC powder were 0.25%, 0.5%, and 0.75% of 250 mL of pharmaceutical waste, respectively. Retention time variations of 30, 60, and 90 minutes were used in laboratory scale experiments. Proximate analysis including volatile substances, water content, ash content, fixed carbon and I2 adsorption were observed to characterize AC. This research shows that the produced AC successfully meets the SNI 06-3730-1995 standards. The study results show variations in COD removal between 9-23%. The best result was performed by the AC dosage of 0.75% over a 60 minutes retention time.