Activated carbon are high porosity and high surface area material manufactured by process of carbonization and activation of the carbonaceous material which find extensive use in the adsorption of pollution (ie unwanted materials) from liquid and gaseous streams. Activated carbon is a carbonaceous material which is amorphous in nature and in which a high degree of porosity is developed during the manufacturing and treatment process. Its high porosity and high surface area to volume ratio makes it the most versatile adsorbent to be used for the effective removal of organic solid like the methylene blue dye from industrial effluent before disposing to the environment.
The intrinsic properties of activated carbon are dependent on the raw material used during manufacturing. Activated carbon with high specific surface area and pore volume can be prepared from a variety of carbonaceous material such as coal, hamburger seed shell, wood, coconut shell, agricultural and industrial waste. In industrial practices, coal, hamburger and coconut shell, are the two main sources for the production of activated carbon. Other material like lignite, petroleum, coke, saw dust, peat, fruit and met shell may be used to manufacture activated carbon but the properties of the finished material are governed not only by the raw material used but also on the method of activation applied.
Waste water from textile, cosmetics, dyeing, food processing and paper-making industries are polluted by dye (coloured pigment). Discharge of these coloured effluents present a major environmental problem for developing countries because of there toxic and carcinogenic effect on human and aquatic life. Many methods such as activated carbon adsorption, chemical coagulation, ion exchange etc have been used for removing these impurities from waste water before being discharged to the environment.
In early days, activated carbon source material were mainly bone char and animal blood, coke, coal, bitumen and wood some other raw materials for the production of activated carbon which later took the centre stage due to their availability.
Research indicates that the source of material used to prepare activated carbon have significant effect on its pore structure, surface area, texture, resistance to fragmentation and adsorption capacity. The sourcing of this raw material (hamburger seed shell) was based on the need to develop a low cost adsorbent for pollution control as well as reducing its effect on environmental degradation caused by agro-waste.
The objective of this research project is to study the optimization condition of adsorption for the removal of methylene blue dye using conventionally activated hamburger seed shell as an adsorbent.
It will also encourage the improvement in the use of agricultural waste materials such as hamburger seed shell, mango seed shell, palm kernel shell, coconut shell etc in the production of a low cost adsorbent and hence reducing the effect of environmental degradation posed by these agro-waste materials.
SCOPE AND LIMITATION OF THE STUDY
The scope and limitation of this research project includes the following processes.
METHODS OF RESEARCH
During the research project on the topic “optimization of adsorption conditions for the removal of methylene blue dye using conventionally activated hamburger seed shell”, two method of research were employed. They are theoretical and practical/experimental methods.
The theoretical method involves sourcing of information/data from internet, library, academic superiors and associates while the experimental method deals with the actual practical work on carbonization, activation, adsorption process etc.
SIGNIFICANCE OF THE STUDY
The significant of this research work includes the following:
4. Lastly, it will make a significant effect on the control of environmental pollution.