Chemically modified rice husk as a green filtration media for chemical oxygen demand removal from pulp and paper effluents

Abstract. This study introduces a green approach to tackle environmental challenges associated with the pulp and paper industry effluents. It employs chemically modified rice husk (MRH) as an environmentally friendly filtration medium for the effective removal of Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD). The research establishes a baseline with an initial COD concentration of 2130 mg/L, and subsequent runs demonstrate substantial reductions. The remarkable initial removal rate of 84.9% after the first run, followed by further improvement in the second run with a removal rate of 53.4%, wherein the third run, showcased the highest COD removal rate of 46.7% and a final concentration of 80 mg/L, underscores the cumulative impact and sustained efficacy of the system over successive treatment cycles. The overall cumulative filtration performance of 96.2% is indicative of the system's robust and reliable performance in reducing COD levels in pulp and paper wastewater. This innovative, eco-friendly filtration medium emerges as a promising solution to the environmental impact of the pulp and paper industry, offering a cost-effective and sustainable approach to wastewater treatment.