REMOVAL OF HEAVY METALS FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTE WATER BY ACID ACTIVATED CARBON PREPARED FROM TEAK WOOD BIOMASS

Abstract

The removal of heavy metals from the effluent is of special concern due to their prolonged existence. Removal of copper, cadmium, lead, and zinc from effluent by acid activated carbon prepared from Teak wood bio mass, has been studied. The prepared carbon was characterized by FT-IR spectroscopy and SEM. The effect of temperature and contact time on the removal of these heavy metals using the activated carbon was investigated. Batch experiments were conducted to test the ability of activated carbon for the removal of heavy metals. Maximum removal was observed at a temperature of 80 ˚C and at an optimum contact time of 60 min. This work, therefore, suggests that Teak wood bio mass (TPAC) is suitable for the removal of heavy metals on effluent.