Journal of
Engineering and Technology Research

  • Abbreviation: J. Eng. Technol. Res.
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2006-9790
  • DOI: 10.5897/JETR
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 198

Full Length Research Paper

Sorption of lead (ii) ions by granular activated carbon from animal horns: A comparative study

E. O. Aluyor1 and I. O. Oboh2*
  1Department of Chemical Engineering, University of Benin, Benin City, Nigeria. 2Department of Chemical and Petroleum Engineering, University of Uyo, Uyo, Nigeria.
Email: [email protected]

  •  Accepted: 09 June 2009
  •  Published: 30 June 2009

Abstract

 

The physico-chemical properties of wastewater effluent from the plants of a brewering industry in Nigeria have been analyzed. The lead ions removal capacity of Granular activated carbon from animal horns and its comparison with commercial granulated activated carbon (GAC) was studied. Batch kinetics and isotherm studies were carried out for the adsorption of Pb2+. The equilibrium sorption data fitted well the Freundlich model. The experimental data, when applied to the first and second-order kinetic models, followed both kinetic models with r² = 0.898 for GAC from animal horns and r= 0.973 for commercial GAC. The results obtained showed how animal horns, a solid waste from the abattoir at the Oshodi market in Lagos metropolis, was used as an effective adsorbent for the removal of Pb2+ ions; offering a cheap option for primary treatment of the brewery wastewater effluent.

 

Key words: Brewery, wastewater effluent, primary treatment, batch kinetics.