Reduction of COD and chromium, and decolourisation of tannery wastewater by activated carbons from agro-wastes

摘要

This study presents decolourisation of common collection tank (CCT) & chromium tank (CT) wastewater samples, reduction of COD from lime water collection tank (LWCT) & CCT wastewater samples and reduction of chromium from CT wastewater samples. Activated carbons (ACs) were synthesized from rice husk, saw dust and sugarcane baggasse. Saw dust activated carbon reduced COD of CCT wastewater by 94.8%, whereas sugarcane baggasse activated carbon reduced COD of LWCT by 77%. Thus sugarcane baggasse activated carbon is most effective among three ACs for removal of chromium, whereas all ACs developed are equally effective for decolourisation of CCT and CT wastewater samples.