ORIGINAL RESEARCH
Development of Low-Cost Activated Carbon
towards an Eco-Efficient Removal of Organic
Pollutants from Oily Wastewater
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1
Applied Chemistry Laboratory LCA, University of Biskra, PO Box 145, 07000 Biskra, Algeria
2
Engineering Department, Miguel Hernández University, Carretera de Beniel, 03312-Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
3
Research Laboratory in Subterranean and Surface Hydraulics, University of Biskra, PO Box 145, 07000 Biskra, Algeria
4
Plant Production and Microbiology Department, Miguel Hernández University,
Carretera de Beniel, 03312-Orihuela, Alicante, Spain
Submission date: 2020-04-17
Final revision date: 2020-07-22
Acceptance date: 2020-07-27
Online publication date: 2020-12-10
Publication date: 2021-02-05
Corresponding author
Rania Remmani
mater department, University of Biskra, Biskra, Algeria
Pol. J. Environ. Stud. 2021;30(2):1801-1808
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ABSTRACT
The current study seeks to investigate the feasibility use of date palm kernels for the development of
activated carbon (AC) towards its application, which functions as an adsorbent to treat oil-contaminated
groundwater. Biochar derived from date palm kernels (BPK), was prepared by direct pyrolysis of
the raw precursor at 600ºC for 90 minutes (in oxygen-limited condition). Activated carbon (ACPK)
included similar pyrolysis conditions of biochar with subsequent impregnation in H2SO4 (as activating
agent) at a ratio of acid: biochar (1:1), moderate temperature. The analytical approach was performed
through the use of XRD, BET, and FTIR, techniques to evaluate the effect of carbonization and
activation process in improving the adsorptive properties of starting materials. Carbonaceous
adsorbents obtained were highly porous due to their elevated specific surface area of (333.4 m2/g
for BPK and 741.5 m2/g for ACPK) and their amorphous structure. Indeed, the textural proprieties
were significantly improved by the acidic treatment. Further, the adsorption behavior of produced
materials was tested by performing batch adsorption tests in contaminated water samples using a
ratio of 1:1 (g/L) for 24 hours. The efficiency of adsorbents was evaluated by COD (C0 = 8568 mg/L),
BOD5 (C0 = 200 mg/L) concentration, pH and hardness values before and after the treatment. Removal
efficiency of COD for the BPK and ACPK samples reached 82.6% and 95.2% respectively, while for
BOD5 was the same (97.0%) for both adsorbents. Additionally, the treated water sample has the same
excellent class suitable for irrigation applications according to the Wilcox diagram. In consequence, the present study suggests an effective, eco-friendly and economical adsorption process intending to
mitigate environmental risk sustainably.