Petrochemical Wastewater Treatment by Eggshell Modified Biochar as Adsorbent: Atechno-Economic and Sustainable Approach

Abstract

Petrochemical industrial wastewater (PIW)contains toluene and xylene (TX), and various organic and inorganic pollutants, causing severe risks to human health if improperly released into the environmental matrices. For the long-term reliability of environmental conservation, this study illustrates the interlinkage between PIW treatment and the three pillars of sustainable development. Sewage sludge biochar was modified with eggshell, showing a relatively high fixed C content (increase in carbonization degree), and small O/C and N/C ratios. The prepared biochar was employed for TX adsorption in mono-component solutions, giving removal efficiencies of 79.1% (T) and 86.6% (X), at pH =10, adsorbent dosage =2 g/L, and Co =40 mg/L within 60 min. The main adsorption mechanism was physisorption, including precipitation/pore-filling, π-π dispersive interaction, and van der Waals force. The modified biochar also treated real PIW under five adsorption/regeneration cycles, providing essential steps toward large-scale applications. According to an economic feasibility estimation, the biochar application for treating 1 m3 of PIW would offer a payback period of 6.9 yr. The study outputs could be linked to the restoration of water-related ecosystems, biochar modification for industrial applications, and climate change mitigation, adopting the 2030 agenda and its sustainable development goals (SDGs).