Removal of ammonium and phosphate from wastewater by potassium permanganate modified Chinese medicine residues

Abstract

With the rapid development of the Chinese medicine industry, the treatment of Chinese medicine residues has received widespread attention. This study was performed to investigate the removal of ammonium and phosphate from wastewater using potassium permanganate (KMnO4) modified Chinese medicine residues. The results showed that the adsorption performance of KMnO4 modified Chinese medicine residues (MR) was significantly efficient on nitrogen and phosphorus from the wastewater compared to unmodified Chinese medicinal residues (UR). The optimal adsorption conditions for nitrogen and phosphorus by the MR were modification concentration 0.6 g/L, modification time 4 h, adsorption time 4 h, adsorbent dosage 5 g/L, adsorption particle size 0.50 mm and pH 8. In addition, the optimal initial concentrations of nitrogen and phosphorus were 40 mg/L and 10 mg/L, respectively. The nitrogen and phosphorus adsorption by the UR and MR followed the pseudo second-order kinetic model and fitted the Langmuir isotherm equation. It is of great significance for resource conservation and environmental protection through the rational utilization and development of biomass resources from Chinese medicinal residues.