Production of Activated Carbon from Agroindustrial Residues and Application in the Treatment of  Desalinator Reject

S. S. A. Lima; S. C. de Paiva; H. T. Figueiredo; G. M. C. Takaki; A. S. Messias

S. S. A. Lima Development of Environmental Processes, Catholic University of Pernambuco, 50.050-900, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
S. C. de Paiva Catholic University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
H. T. Figueiredo Department of Chemical Engineer, Catholic University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
G. M. C. Takaki Catholic University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.
A. S. Messias Catholic University of Pernambuco, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil.

Keywords: Desalination, saline effluent, alternative residues, carbon, biosorbent

Abstract

Residues of agroindustrial origin can be used for various purposes, including the production of activated carbon. In order to conduct the experiment, residual biomass of Cocos nucifera-C and grape marc-B were used at the doses corresponding to 100C/0B, 75C/25B, 50C/50B, 25C/75B and 0C/100B. The appropriate operating ranges for the production of activated carbon were identified and an experiment was carried out with a full factorial design, type 3², with three replicates and a control. The activated carbon produced was in contact with the desalinator reject for 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes, after which the extracts were physico-chemically analyzed. The data were submitted to statistical analysis, using Statistic software, with a percentage reduction in the characteristics evaluated: pH (13.2), electrical conductivity (1), sodium (4.7), potassium (35.6), calcium (3.2), magnesium (zero) and chloride (18.2), indicating the mixture of coconut fiber and grape marc in 50C/50B ratio as being the most promising in the adsorption of the chemical elements of the reject, when in contact for up to an hour.