Adsorbent potential of cocoa pod husk activated charcoal to remove metals from the Ucayali River
¹National Intercultural University of the Amazon, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Academic Department of Agro Industrial Engineering, Pucallpa, 25000 Ucayali, Peru
²National Intercultural University of the Amazon, Faculty of Engineering and Environmental Sciences, Academic Department of Basic Sciences, Pucallpa, 25000 Ucayali, Peru
*Correspondence: rlozanor@unia.edu.pe
Abstract:
The problem of river water contamination due to the presence of dangerous metals for ichthyological flora and fauna and human health has motivated the search for innovative and feasible solutions. Therefore, the production of activated carbon from cocoa pod husks was investigated to eliminate metals present in the Ucayali River. Response surface methodology was used to optimize the manufacturing of the adsorbent and test its effectiveness in removing metals from water using a factorial design of 33 and 32, with three replicates each. The optimal amount of activated carbon (18.41 g) was obtained from 200 g of fresh cocoa pod husks. It was converted into activated carbon under the following conditions: thermal modification at 100, 150, and 200 °C; activation time of 1.0, 1.5, and 2.0 h; and pyrolysis and activation at 400, 500, and 600 °C. This allowed the elimination by efficient adsorption of 56.8% Fe2+, 68.4% Al3+, 65.9% Cu2+, and 55.5% Zn2+ from Ucayali River, thus demonstrating its adsorbent power. The results will make it possible to manufacture filters to decontaminate water containing heavy metals, thus guaranteeing its consumption.
Key words:
adsorption, heavy metals, pyrolysis, thermal modification, water pollution