Laboratory wastewater treatment using activated carbon obtained from dry maize cobs

Abstract

This research project was aimed at treating laboratory wastewater obtained from and tested at Uganda Industry Research Institute (UIRI) Chemistry laboratory. The significance of this research was to create a basis for the use of biomass based activated carbon in the treatment/purification of laboratory wastewater. This was to present a future benefit of reducing expenses for both government and private laboratories through reuse of this purified water in laboratory experiments. This analysis was limited to testing the removal of traces of Calcium, Magnesium, and Chloride ions in the Laboratory wastewater. Further tests were pH and colour change.The biomass used was dry maize cobs which were locally sourced, from Kanyawawa – Kibale district in four sacks each carrying one hundred kilograms of maize cob. These were carbonized and chemically activated using analytical grade calcium chloride as an activating agent. The water samples were obtained from the Uganda Industry Research Institute (UIRI) Chemistry laboratory sewer into three plastic bottles. These were tested and found with initial concentrations of 383.4 mg/l Chloride, 15mg/l Calcium, and 15mg/l Magnesium. The percentage yield of activated carbon was 85.1064%. Part of this carbon was placed in a plastic column in which the water was purified and tested. The Calcium, Magnesium and Chloride ions were beyond detectable limits. In conclusion, the maize cob activated carbon completely removed traces of Calcium ions, Magnesium ions and Chloride ions.