Thermally activated mango peels hydrochar for fixed-bed continuous flow decontamination of Pb(II) ions from aqueous solution

• Published in: International journal of environmental science and technology (Tehran) 2022-04, Vol.19 (4), p.2835-2850
• Main Authors: Rind, I. K., Memon, N., Khuhawar, M. Y., Lanjwani, M. F.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Aquatic Pollution; Earth and Environmental Science; Ecotoxicology; Environment; Environmental Chemistry; Environmental Science and Engineering; Original Paper; Soil Science & Conservation; Waste Water Technology; Water Management; Water Pollution Control
• ISSN: 1735-1472; 1735-2630
• DOI: 10.1007/s13762-021-03272-8

Thermally activated hydrochars prepared from mango peels have been tested for continuous removal of lead ions from contaminated drinking water for possible use in point-of-use candle-type water filters. The hydrochar was obtained using low-temperature hydrothermal carbonization, which was activated at various temperatures to produce activated hydrochars. The materials have been characterized physicochemically according to ASTM standards for activated carbons. The structure and morphology were studied by FTIR, XRD, SEM and nitrogen adsorption porosimetry. The results obtained showed that hydrochar activated at 400 °C (ACH 400) was promising for the elimination of lead with a obtained equilibrium absorption capacity of 38.31 mg/g at the optimized height parameters of bed (2.4 cm), flow rate (12 mL/min) and lead concentration (100 mg/L). The results of the experimental breakthrough curves given by adsorption process were successfully fitted by kinetic models according to Adams–Bohart, Thomas and Yoon–Nelson in their linearized forms. The Thomas and Yoon-Nelson data provided a better correlation with the prediction of the breakthrough curve data with high R 2 values, showing a good agreement between the breakthrough curves and the experimental data points. ACH 400 is a suitable sorbent in place of activated carbon for a continuous system and can be applied for large-scale treatment for the removal of lead from water samples.