Investigations on reduction of colour from pulp and paper mill effluent by activated coconut jute carbon

Coconut jute carbon, a waste by-product, was utilized in the production of activated carbon. The activated carbon was then evaluated for colour removal from pulp and paper mill wastewater. The activation of the coconut jute was evaluated using a fixed bed reactor involving carbonization and activation steps at temperatures of 650°C in the absence of air. The activation results showed that the maximum surface area of the activated coconut jute carbon (ACJC) was 94 m² g⁻¹. Adsorption equilibrium results of the pulp paper mill wastewater on the ACJC showed that a significant amount of colour reduction was achieved when the ACJC dose exceeded 8 to 12 g l⁻¹. Batch equilibrium data was used to develop adsorption isotherms for colour removal. Based on those isotherms, the amount of activated coconut jute carbon required to achieve colour removal can be predicted. Apart from reducing colour from the effluent, a waste disposal problem is also solved by utilizing this material as an adsorbent.