COCONUT SHELL-DERIVED ACTIVATED CARBON FOR HEAVY METAL REMOVAL FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER IN IBADAN, NIGERIA

Activated Carbon produced from coconut shell was used as adsorbent to remove Zinc, Cadmium and Lead from industrial wastewater. In order to effectively evaluate the level of pollutant to be removed by the activated carbon made from coconut shell, the physical and chemical parameters of the activated carbon were evaluated. This was achieved by carrying out the pH value, bulk density, moisture content, ash content, water and acid solubility. Batch adsorption experiment was conducted to examine the effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, pH and stirring rate on adsorption of Zinc, Cadmium and Lead ions from wastewater. The obtained results showed that the adsorptions of the metal pH were found to be at 1g, 300rpm and pH 6 respectively. Kinetic studies showed the Pseudo-second order reaction. The study also showed that activated Carbon prepared from coconut shell can be effectively used as lowcost alternative for removal of metal ions.