Refinery wastewater most often contains hydrocarbons, spent catalyst and acid as well as soluble bases used as raw materials and treatment reagents. Most of these pollutants, which often include toxic, hazardous and priority pollutants, accounts for between 0.5-15% weight of the process wastewater [Bhatnaga and Minocha, 2009; Girish and Murty, 2013]. The need to comply with environmental regulations require that such pollutants be removed to an acceptable level
The introduction of lethal heavy metals into the environment from industrial wastes is a major problem that needs immediate attention. In the present study the adsorption efficiency of nickel ions from a synthetic wastewater using watermelon rind activated carbon as a biosorbent is reported. Four basic process variables-initial Ni 2+ concentration (5-100mg/l); pH (2-7); contact time (20-720 minutes) and adsorbent dosage (5-25g/l) were used for the investigation. Response surface (Box Behnken design expert 7.0 ®) methodology based on a design of experiment (DOE) that produced 29 batch experimental runs was used. The amount of Ni 2+ adsorbed was optimized numerically to determine the optimum conditions for the adsorption process. The results of the study show that initial Ni 2+ concentration of 100 mg/l; pH value of 6.69; 5g adsorbent dosage and 365.89 minutes contact time were the optimum process conditions for the removal of 18.43mg/g of Ni 2+ representing 97% of the maximum predicted adsorption rate. It can be concluded therefore, that water melon rind activated carbon has high adsorption capacity and can be used effectively as adsorbent for the removal of nickel from nickel polluted waste and surface water.
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