Regeneration and Reuse of Neem Husk Activated Carbon in Hospital Wastewater Treatment

Abstract

This work assessed the optimum saturation point for reuse of activated carbon from Neem husk (Azadirachta Indica), activated with phosphoric acid (NHP) for the treatment of wastewater. The prepared adsorbent was used to assess physicochemical parameters such as BOD, COD, microbial load, nitrates, phosphates, chlorides, lead, nickel, cadmium, chromium and zinc in the multi component system. The studies showed that the amount of the studied parameters decreases as the number of cycles of regeneration. The COD and BOD decreased from 60-7%, and 80-60% respectively as the cycle runs from 1- 5. The bacterial and fungal loads were high all through the cycles, at a level of between 92 to 99 % removal even at the 5th cycle. However, the performance of the carbon decreased from 65-18%, 81-5% and 95-49% for adsorption of Cd, Cr and Zn ions respectively as the cycle runs from 1 to 5. It was generally observed that the adsorbents can be reused up to four times before complete saturation.