ABSTRACT

The aim of this study was to investigate the efficiency and capacity of palm Kernel Shell activated carbon as an adsorbent in the removal of phenol as a means to provide better alternative economically and efficiently in the treatment of effluents from various domestic and industrial sources. Results of the physico-chemical properties of the PKSAC include the pH of 6.2, point of zero charge (pHpzc) of 4.2, moisture content of 8.53%, bulk density of 0.7935 g/cm³ and a relatively high iodine number of 562.3. The palm kernel shell activated carbon (PKSAC) was characterized to determine its physical properties using Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) and functional groups using Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR). The Central composite design (CCD) was used to study the effect of initial adsorbate concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage on the adsorption process. Statistical models were developed for the removal efficiency of phenol from wastewater as well as optimization using response surface methodology. The study showed that the adsorption process was influenced by the operational variables: contact time, initial phenol concentration, and adsorbent dosage. The optimal values for initial concentration, contact time and adsorbent dosage was: 200(mg/l); 180mins, and 0.331 g respectively. The maximum removal efficiency was 60.41% for phenol. It is concluded that Palm Kernel shell activated carbon is economical as it is cheap, renewable and effective in the treatment of wastewater containing phenol and its derivatives.