Optimizing Water Filtration System with Coconut Shell-Based Activated Carbon for Enhanced Heavy Metal Removal

Abstract: Heavy metal contamination in water sources poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating effective removal methods. This study explores the utilization of Coconut Shell-based Activated Carbon (CSAC) for removing heavy metals, specifically Chromium (Cr), Copper (Cu), and Zinc (Zn), from synthetic electroplating wastewater. Various filtration designs with different CSAC quantities (6 g, 12 g, and 24 g) were evaluated for their removal efficiency. The results indicated that increasing the amount of CSAC improved the removal rates of all tested heavy metals. Chromium showed the highest removal efficiency, with a maximum reduction of 77.77% at 24 g of CSAC. Copper and Zinc also exhibited significant removal efficiencies, with 76% and 71.43%, respectively, at the highest CSAC quantity. These findings underscore the potential of CSAC as an effective and sustainable alternative for heavy metal removal in water treatment processes. The study highlights the importance of optimizing CSAC quantities to enhance filtration system performance, contributing to more effective industrial wastewater management and environmental protection.