Investigating the Capability of Local Adsorbent in Removing Selected Pollutants in Batch and Packed Reactors

Bentonite is a readily available natural clay that can be modified using simple and inexpensive procedures, making it a cost-effective option for removing various organic and inorganic contaminants.In this study, the raw bentonite (RB) is modified using acid and heat treatments.The physiochemical modification of bentonite (MB) was analyzed using the Buranner-Emmett-Teller (BET) technique to determine its surface area, and Fourier transformation infrared spectroscopy (FTIR) was used for further characterization.Post modification, bentonite has a better surface area from 35.15 m 2 /g for RB to 102.6 m 2 /g.The porosity of MB has also increased, offering more adsorption sites and overall enhanced surface properties.Fixed bed columns filled with MB and a mixture of MB and sand (MB+S) were used to investigate MB secondary wastewater purification capacity.Filtration was completed at a flow rate of 1 mL/min (a flow velocity of 3.1 cm/h) onto MB and MB+S mixture, respectively.The results show that the maximum removal efficiency for total suspended solids (TSS), turbidity, phenol (pH), chromium Cr, COD (Chemical Oxygen Demand), BOD5, total coliform (TC), fecal coliforms (FC), and electrical conductivity (EC) onto MB are 100, 100, 93.67, 90.43, 93.75, 97.78, 100, 100, and 30% respectively.The efficiency for these parameters is slightly reduced in modified bentonite (MB) and sand mixtures.