Removal of pollutants from wastewater using activated carbon from durian peel

Abstract

Abstract The efforts in reducing food waste can lead to better water management with less land required for food production and indirectly having a positive impact on the livelihoods and the environment. In order to support the practice of reducing food waste in Brunei Darussalam, one must find ways to recycle or reuse them, particularly waste generated from fruit peels. This paper investigates the feasibility of utilising Durian (Durio zibethinus) rinds to remove pollutants in wastewater, namely Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD), and Nitrates by the process called adsorption. Durian is a local fruit and has high consumption in the country. Hence, it produces a large amount of waste, particularly in the form of peels or rinds. In the present research, the fruit peels are treated by dehydration and carbonisation method prior to utilisation. The variable parameters will be investigated such as the effect on particle size, adsorbent dosage, pH, contact time, and agitation. The maximum COD removal percentage was found to be 68.2 % with an adsorption capacity of 690 mg/g. Overall, carbonised samples gave a better outcome than dehydrated samples. Possibly due to the presence of a unique pore structure in carbonised samples that allows organic matter to be adsorbed on the surface.