The Effectiveness of Ferric Chloride (FeCl₃) And Zeolite in Reducing Copper Heavy Metal and Dye Contaminants in Batik Industry Wastewater Treatment

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of ferric chloride (FeCl₃) and zeolite as adsorbents in reducing copper content and dye pollutants in batik wastewater. Theoretical Framework: Adsorption was chosen as the method for this study due to its suitability in addressing the challenges of batik wastewater treatment. Modifications in the preparation of adsorbents represent an effective approach for developing adsorption models and assessing their performance. The adsorbent used in this study is FeCl₃/zeolite, a composite material created through an impregnation process that combines ferric chloride (FeCl₃) and zeolite. The working mechanism of the FeCl₃/zeolite adsorbent involves coagulation and adsorption processes conducted within a laboratory-scale adsorption column. The effectiveness of the adsorbent is demonstrated by its significant ability to reduce heavy metal copper content and dye pollutants. Method: The materials used for adsorbent preparation include zeolite and FeCl₃. Zeolite is activated using HCl to enhance its pore size. Subsequently, the zeolite is impregnated with FeCl₃ at a ratio of 3:1 for 3 hours under stirring at 250 rpm. The mixture is then filtered to separate the filtrate and precipitate. The precipitate is calcined at 200°C for 2 hours and characterized using SEM-EDX to analyze the adsorbent's properties. Finally, the prepared adsorbent is applied to treat batik wastewater. Results and Discussion: The best results obtained from the study show that the FeCl₃/zeolite adsorbent achieved a maximum reduction in Cu content of 30% and a dye reduction of 27.86%. These results were achieved using 450 grams of adsorbent and an adsorption time of 10 minutes. Research Implications: The results of this study are presented as data, which can be used as a reference or input for wastewater management, particularly for batik wastewater. Additionally, the findings can serve as a basis for environmental monitoring and control efforts. Originality/Value: The study on adsorption of batik wastewater using FeCl₃/zeolite adsorbent combines coagulation and adsorption processes to reduce copper content and dye pollutants. Previous studies have not explored the use of activated zeolite impregnated with FeCl₃ as an adsorbent for reducing copper content and dye pollutants in batik wastewater.