Optimization Study of Adsorption parameter for the removal of Zinc (Zn) and Arsenic (As) on Activated Coconut Shell (ACS) Adsorbent using Response Surface Methodology

Abstract

A large portion of the water environment is being contaminated and destroyed due to the direct liberation of industrial effluents, agricultural and municipal activities that are toxic to humans, animals, and plants. Among the several pollutants, heavy metals are considered to be a serious hazard and the presence arsenic in water will cause carcinogenic to humans. In this study, for sustainability easily available eco-friendly materials were used for the adsorption of heavy metal. An aqueous solution of zinc and arsenic metal was prepared and adsorption of heavy metal was performed by varying pH, initial concentration, time, and dosage. The metal productivity was optimized using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) with central composite design (CCD) by varying the obtained data. The model prediction result is in agreement with experimented result (R2=0.9706, 0.9799 adj R2=0.9432,0.9572 for and coconut shell carbon). ANOVA table shows that the adsorption of arsenic and zinc metal to carbon made from coconut shell. The optimization of carbon made from coconut shell pH, initial concentration, time, and dosage found to be the maximum adsorption capacity of both adsorbent pH (7,7), initial concentration (40,30), contact time (60,90), adsorbent dosage (0.3,0.3) was obtained. Characterization of activated coconut shell carbon was carried out by SEM.