EFFICIENCY OF POLLUTANT REMOVAL IN CHEMICAL WASTEWATERS BY MEANS OF ACTIVATED CARBON FROM COCONUT ENDOCARPES

Wastewater from chemical laboratories represents a challenge for treatment and pollutant removal. For this reason, it is deemed very toxic and harmful for the environment. Activated carbon from hard husks (endocarp) of chemically activated coconut with brine (25% NaCl) represents an economical option for treatment of this wastewater type. In this research study, a contact column with activated carbon from coconut husks, supported by gravel and sand, was ensembled to submit samples of chemical wastewater at 1, 2 and 3-hour contact times and determine chemical demand removal efficiency of oxygen (COD), turbidity, conductivity and pH. Removal efficiencies were up to 100% COD, 88.4% turbidity, 40.9% conductivity and a higher pH, in tests with a 3-hour retention time, thus proving effectiveness and efficiency of the proposed process.