Removal of Chromium (VI) from Wastewater by Palm Kernel Shell-based on a Green Method

Abstract

The potential of palm kernel shell, as agricultural waste, to remove Cr (VI) from aqueous solution was evaluated. Effective parameters such as pH (2–8), temperature (20–80 °C), contact time (10-120 min), adsorbent concentration (0.1–1 g/L), and initial Cr (VI) concentration (10-100 mg/L) were all studied to attain the maximum removal efficiency. Results show the adsorption capacity increases as pH value decreases and the optimum pH value is pH= 2.0. The other optimal conditions are temperature 40 °C, contact time 45 min, adsorbent concentration 0.5 g/L and initial Cr (VI) concentration 10 mg/L. The equilibrium data for chromate adsorption well fitted to Freundlich equation, with maximum adsorption capacity of 125 mg/g. This novel activated carbon derived from palm shell powder has been found to be effective for the removal of Cr (VI) and not noxious to the ecosystem.