Ultrasound assisted chemical activation of peanut husk for copper removal

Abstract

The ultrasound assisted chemical activation of peanut husk using phosphoric acid was studied at a frequency of 20 kHz. Experiments were carried out for the activation of peanut husk in presence of ultrasound followed by the study of consequent effect on the adsorption behavior of copper. Effect of sonication during chemical activation on copper adsorption was studied with respect to various parameters such phosphoric acid concentration, acid impregnation ratio, temperature, duty cycle, sonication time, power and the probe height dipped in the adsorbent-acid slurry. Results showed that after the application of ultrasound during the activation process, copper uptake capacity of the adsorbent is improved with increasing ultrasound power and the activation process is more feasible at 30°C. The copper uptake after activation treatment of 5 min in the presence of ultrasound was found to be 19.6 mg/g as against 17.8 mg/g by conventional chemical activation method performed for 20 min. Thus, after acid treatment in the presence of ultrasound, the adsorbent shows a good adsorption capacity at lower time of chemical activation.