Use of chemically treated sawdust for chromium removal from aqueous solutions: effect of process parameters

摘要

This paper reports the effect of various process parameters on the removal of chromium from aqueous solution using formaldehyde-treated timber industry waste (sawdust). The adsorbent was characterised by Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and Energy Dispersive X-Ray Analysis (EDAX). Influence of chromium concentration, pH, adsorbent dose and contact time on chromium removal from aqueous solution has been investigated. Maximum chromium removal was 83.5% at pH 2 with 20 g L~(-1) adsorbent dose and 120 min contact time. Reusability of the adsorbent was examined by desorption in which HC1 eluted 76% chromium from exhausted adsorbent.