Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater

William Buah; Jennifer MacCarthy; Samuel Ndur

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

| Peer-Reviewed

Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater

William Buah, Jennifer MacCarthy, Samuel Ndur

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 4, Issue 4)

Received: 7 June 2016 Accepted: 15 June 2016 Published: 29 June 2016

Views: Downloads:

Download PDF

Share This Article

Twitter
Linked In
Facebook

Abstract

This study investigated adsorption of Lead (Pb²⁺), Copper (Cu²⁺) and Cadmium (Cd²⁺) from minerals processing wastewater using activated carbons prepared from waste corn cobs. The activated carbons were prepared by carbonisation of the waste at 900°C to obtain carbonised corn cobs. Samples of the carbonised material were activated at 900°C for various durations using steam as an activating agent. The derived activated carbons were contacted with the wastewater containing heavy metals to assess their heavy metal removal abilities. From the results, up to 99.9%, 99.8 and 99.7% adsorption were attained for Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ respectively. This reduced the concentrations of Pb²⁺, Cu²⁺ and Cd²⁺ from 1.56 mg/L, 1.87 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively, to <0.002 mg/L for each metal ion. The results demonstrate that the derived activated carbons have the capacity to significantly reduce heavy metal concentrations to levels below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for safe drinking water.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 4, Issue 4)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
Page(s)	98-103
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2016. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Corn Cob, Activated Carbon, Heavy Metal, Wastewater and Adsorption

References

[1]	M. L. Morris, R. Tripp and A. A. Dankyi, “Adoption and Impacts of Improved Corn Production Technology: A Case Study of the Ghana Grains Development Project”, Economics Program Mexico, DF, CIMMYT, 1999, pp. 99-100.
[2]	J. Kaźmierczak, P. Nowicki and R. Pietrzak, “Sorption properties of activated carbons obtained from corn cobs by chemical and physical activation”, Adsorption, 2013, 19: 273-281.
[3]	M. A. Yahya, Z. Al-Qodah and C. W. Zanariah Ngah, “Agricultural bio-waste materials as potential sustainable precursors used for activated carbon production: A review”, Ren. and Sustain. Energy Reviews, 2015, 46: 218–235.
[4]	Z. Hu and M. P. Srinivasan, “Preparation of High-Surface-Area Activated Carbons from Coconut Shell”, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 1999, 27: 11-18.
[5]	W. M. Daud, W. S. Ali and M. Z. Suleiman, “The Effects of Carbonization Temperature on Pore Development in Palm-Shell-Based Activated Carbon”, Carbon, 2000, 41: 1925-1932.
[6]	J. Hayashi, A. Kazehaya, K. Muroyama and A. P. Watkinson, “Preparation of Activated Carbon from Lignin by Chemical Activation”, Carbon, 1999, 38: 1873-1878.
[7]	S. D. Probert, K. Kerr and J, Brown, “Harnessing energy from domestic, municipal and industrial refuse”, Applied Energy, 1987, 27: 89-168.
[8]	A. Bernard, “Cadmium and its adverse effects on human health”, Indian J. Med. Res., 2008, 128: 557-64.
[9]	E. Bernard, A. Jimoh and J. O. Odigure, “Heavy Metals Removal from Industrial Wastewater by Activated Carbon Prepared from Coconut Shell”, Research Journal of Chemical Sciences, 2013, 3: 3-9.
[10]	World Health Organization, “Heavy metals and PAH compounds from municipal incinerators”, Environmental Health Series, No. 32, World Health Organization, Copenhagen, 1990.
[11]	S. Hou, L. Yuan, P. Jin, B. Ding, et al., “A clinical study of the effects of lead poisoning on the intelligence and neurobehavioral abilities of children”, Theoretical Biology & Medical Modelling, 2013, 10: 10-13.
[12]	P. T. Williams, “Waste Treatment and Disposal”, 2^nd Edition. John Wiley & Sons Ltd, Chichester, UK, 2005, 380 pp.
[13]	C. E. Gimba, G. I. Ndukwe, E. D. Paul et al., “Heavy Metals (Cd, Cu, Fe, Mn and Zn) Assessment of Groundwater in Kaltungo LGA, Gombe State, Nigeria”, International Journal of Science and Technology, 2015, 4: 44-49.
[14]	M. A. Momodu and C. A. Anyankora, “Heavy Metal Contamination of Ground Water”, Journal of Environmental and Earth Science, 2010, 2: 39-43.
[15]	W. K. Buah, J. S. Y. Kuma and P. T. Williams, “Activated Carbon Prepared in a Novel Gas Fired Static Bed Pyrolysis-Gasification/Activation Reactor for Gold Di-Cyanide Adsorption”, in 3^rd UMaT Biennial International Mining and Mineral Conference, 2014, pp. 243-250.
[16]	S. J. Gregg and K. S. W. Sing, “Adsorption, Surface Area and Porosity”, Academic Press, London, 1982.
[17]	M. M. Dubinin, and L. V. Radushkevitch, 1947 Proc. Acad. Sci. USSR, 55: 331.
[18]	A. Ismail, D. B. Adie, I. A. Oke et al., “Adsorption kinetics of cadmium ions onto powdered corn cobs”, The Canadian Journal of Chemical Engineering, 2009, 87: 896-909.
[19]	H. Teng and S. C. Wang, “Preparation of porous carbon from phenol-formaldehyde resins with chemical and physical activation”, Carbon, 2000, 38: 817-824.
[20]	A. M. Cunliffe and P. T. Williams, “Influence of Process Conditions on the rate of Activation of Chars Derived from Pyrolysis of Used Tires”, Energy and Fuel, 1999 13: 166–175.
[21]	A. C. Arampatzidou and E. A. Deliyanni, “Comparison of activation media and pyrolysis temperature for activated carbons development by pyrolysis of potato peels for effective adsorption of endocrine disruptor bisphenol, A. Journal of Colloid and Interface Science, 2016, 466: 101-112.
[22]	A. B. Bogeat, M. Alexandre-Franco, C. Fernández-González et al., “Temperature dependence of the electrical conductivity of activated carbons prepared from vine shoots by physical and chemical activation methods”, Microporous and Mesoporous Materials, 2015 209: 90-98.
[23]	A. Martínez de Yuso, B. Rubio and M. T. Izquierdo, “Influence of activation atmosphere used in the chemical activation of almond shell on the characteristics and adsorption performance of activated carbons”, Fuel Processing Technology, 2014, 119: 74-80.
[24]	M. Karnib, A. Kabbani, H. Holail and Z. Olama, “Heavy Metals Removal Using Activated Carbon, Silica and Silica Activated Carbon Composite”, Energy Procedia, 2014, 50: 113-120.
[25]	S. Z. Mohammadi, H. Hamidian and Z. Moeinadini, “High surface area-activated carbon from Glycyrrhiza glabra residue by ZnCl2 activation for removal of Pb (II) and Ni (II) from water samples”, J Industrial and Engineering Chemistry, 2014, 20: 4112-4118.

Cite This Article

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

William Buah, Jennifer MacCarthy, Samuel Ndur. (2016). Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 4(4), 98-103. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

William Buah; Jennifer MacCarthy; Samuel Ndur. Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2016, 4(4), 98-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

William Buah, Jennifer MacCarthy, Samuel Ndur. Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2016;4(4):98-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11,
  author = {William Buah and Jennifer MacCarthy and Samuel Ndur},
  title = {Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {4},
  number = {4},
  pages = {98-103},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20160404.11},
  abstract = {This study investigated adsorption of Lead (Pb2+), Copper (Cu2+) and Cadmium (Cd2+) from minerals processing wastewater using activated carbons prepared from waste corn cobs. The activated carbons were prepared by carbonisation of the waste at 900°C to obtain carbonised corn cobs. Samples of the carbonised material were activated at 900°C for various durations using steam as an activating agent. The derived activated carbons were contacted with the wastewater containing heavy metals to assess their heavy metal removal abilities. From the results, up to 99.9%, 99.8 and 99.7% adsorption were attained for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ respectively. This reduced the concentrations of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 1.56 mg/L, 1.87 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively, to <0.002 mg/L for each metal ion. The results demonstrate that the derived activated carbons have the capacity to significantly reduce heavy metal concentrations to levels below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for safe drinking water.},
 year = {2016}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater
AU  - William Buah
AU  - Jennifer MacCarthy
AU  - Samuel Ndur
Y1  - 2016/06/29
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 98
EP  - 103
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
AB  - This study investigated adsorption of Lead (Pb2+), Copper (Cu2+) and Cadmium (Cd2+) from minerals processing wastewater using activated carbons prepared from waste corn cobs. The activated carbons were prepared by carbonisation of the waste at 900°C to obtain carbonised corn cobs. Samples of the carbonised material were activated at 900°C for various durations using steam as an activating agent. The derived activated carbons were contacted with the wastewater containing heavy metals to assess their heavy metal removal abilities. From the results, up to 99.9%, 99.8 and 99.7% adsorption were attained for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ respectively. This reduced the concentrations of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 1.56 mg/L, 1.87 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively, to <0.002 mg/L for each metal ion. The results demonstrate that the derived activated carbons have the capacity to significantly reduce heavy metal concentrations to levels below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for safe drinking water.
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download

Author Information

William Buah

Minerals Engineering Department, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana
Jennifer MacCarthy

Environmental and Safety Engineering Department, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana
Samuel Ndur

Environmental and Safety Engineering Department, University of Mines and Technology, Tarkwa, Ghana

Download PDF

Sections

Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

William Buah, Jennifer MacCarthy, Samuel Ndur. (2016). Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 4(4), 98-103. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

Copy | Download

ACS Style

William Buah; Jennifer MacCarthy; Samuel Ndur. Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2016, 4(4), 98-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

Copy | Download

AMA Style

William Buah, Jennifer MacCarthy, Samuel Ndur. Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2016;4(4):98-103. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11

Copy | Download

@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11,
  author = {William Buah and Jennifer MacCarthy and Samuel Ndur},
  title = {Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {4},
  number = {4},
  pages = {98-103},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20160404.11},
  abstract = {This study investigated adsorption of Lead (Pb2+), Copper (Cu2+) and Cadmium (Cd2+) from minerals processing wastewater using activated carbons prepared from waste corn cobs. The activated carbons were prepared by carbonisation of the waste at 900°C to obtain carbonised corn cobs. Samples of the carbonised material were activated at 900°C for various durations using steam as an activating agent. The derived activated carbons were contacted with the wastewater containing heavy metals to assess their heavy metal removal abilities. From the results, up to 99.9%, 99.8 and 99.7% adsorption were attained for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ respectively. This reduced the concentrations of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 1.56 mg/L, 1.87 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively, to <0.002 mg/L for each metal ion. The results demonstrate that the derived activated carbons have the capacity to significantly reduce heavy metal concentrations to levels below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for safe drinking water.},
 year = {2016}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Conversion of Corn Cobs Waste into Activated Carbons for Adsorption of Heavy Metals from Minerals Processing Wastewater
AU  - William Buah
AU  - Jennifer MacCarthy
AU  - Samuel Ndur
Y1  - 2016/06/29
PY  - 2016
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 98
EP  - 103
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20160404.11
AB  - This study investigated adsorption of Lead (Pb2+), Copper (Cu2+) and Cadmium (Cd2+) from minerals processing wastewater using activated carbons prepared from waste corn cobs. The activated carbons were prepared by carbonisation of the waste at 900°C to obtain carbonised corn cobs. Samples of the carbonised material were activated at 900°C for various durations using steam as an activating agent. The derived activated carbons were contacted with the wastewater containing heavy metals to assess their heavy metal removal abilities. From the results, up to 99.9%, 99.8 and 99.7% adsorption were attained for Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ respectively. This reduced the concentrations of Pb2+, Cu2+ and Cd2+ from 1.56 mg/L, 1.87 mg/L and 0.69 mg/L, respectively, to <0.002 mg/L for each metal ion. The results demonstrate that the derived activated carbons have the capacity to significantly reduce heavy metal concentrations to levels below the World Health Organisation (WHO) standards for safe drinking water.
VL  - 4
IS  - 4
ER  -

Copy | Download