Optimization of Process for Removal of Fe-Cu from Wastewater with Biodegradable Adsorbent

Background: This study aimed to optimize a process for removing Fe-Cu from wastewater using biodegradable adsorbents. Objective: The objective of the study is to remove copper ions from wastewater. The use of low-cost adsorbents was investigated as a replacement for the conventional methods of removing heavy metals from an aqueous solution. Methods: Removal of copper (II) from an aqueous solution by the adsorbent made from the jackfruit peels was investigated and analyzed with the help of UV-spectroscopy. The conventional treatment methods for heavy metal contamination include chemical precipitation, chemical oxidation, ion exchange, reverse osmosis, membrane separation, electrodialysis, and so on. These techniques are very costly, require energy in huge quantities, and generate toxic byproducts. On the other hand, adsorption has been investigated as a cost-effective method for removing heavy metals from wastewater. The equilibrium adsorption level was determined as a function of particle size, adsorbent doses, and variable concentration of metal ion solution. Adsorption isotherms of Cu (II) on adsorbents were selected and correlated with isotherm equations, including Langmuir and Freundlich models. Results: From the experiment, the maximum percentage of copper removed was 84.30%, and the maximum adsorption capacity was 11.24 mg/g for particle size of 0.212 mm, 30.98 mg/g for 1 gram of adsorbent dose, and 5.23 mg/g for 300 ppm of concentration of metal ion solution. Conclusion: The adsorbent made from the jackfruit peels is more effective for removing copper from aqueous solutions emitted from the industrial wastes. It can prove to be the best alternative to the conventional method.