Effect of Contact Time on The Adsorption Process of Activated Carbon from Banana Peel in Reducing Heavy Metal Cd and Dyes Using a Stirring Tub (Pilot Scale)

Abstract

Abstract One of the most successful processes for extracting, recovering, and recycling metals from wastewater is adsorption utilizing natural activated carbon, such as banana peel waste. This is advantageous for a wastewater treatment sector since natural activated carbon is less expensive than conventional activated carbon. The aim of this research is to determine the optimum contact time at removing heavy metals and colour using a stirrer tub (pilot scale). Physically, banana peels would be burned at a high temperature of 300°C, and chemically, they would be activated with a 20% sulfuric acid (H2SO4) solution. A mixing tank with a volume of 30 L and a stirring machine spinning at 200 rpm was employed as a contact point between wastewater and activated carbon. Time variations of 15, 30, 60, 75, and 90 minutes were explored to find the best contact time. The ideal circumstances for 75 minutes obtained a Cd metal removal effectiveness of 98.63% with an adsorption capacity of 0.38 mg/g, according to the findings. At the optimum time of 90 minutes, the kepok banana peel was 97.38% successful in absorbing the color using a stirrer.