Evaluation of The Potential of Boiler Waste and Dehydrated Coconut Fibers as Filtering Systems for Hospital Laundry Effluents

Objective: The present study evaluated the effectiveness of boiler residue and coconut fiber as adsorbent materials for the treatment of effluents from an industrial hospital laundry. Theoretical Framework: The research addresses the environmental impacts caused by the inadequate disposal of industrial laundry effluents, highlighting the need for accessible and efficient technologies for their treatment. Adsorption is presented as a promising alternative, considering the potential of residual materials for contaminant removal. Method: The study was carried out in a hospital laundry located in São Luís, MA. The collected effluent was characterized by physical-chemical analysis and submitted to a filtration system containing boiler residue and coconut fibers. The adsorbent materials were evaluated for their adsorption capacity by means of FTIR spectroscopy, iodine number and scanning electron microscopy (SEM). Results and Discussion: The boiler residue demonstrated greater efficiency in reducing effluent turbidity, reaching a removal of 96.15% after 60 minutes of filtration. Coconut fiber, on the other hand, showed lower efficiency, with a maximum reduction of 44.9% in turbidity. Despite the lower adsorbent capacity than commercial activated carbon, both materials demonstrated viability for partial use in turbidity removal. Research Implications: The study suggests the reuse of industrial waste as a sustainable and economically viable alternative for the treatment of liquid effluents, promoting circular economy practices. Originality/Value: The research contributes to the valorization of boiler waste and coconut fiber, demonstrating their potential as adsorbents in filtration processes, reducing environmental impacts and adding value to discarded materials.