Removal of Benzene from Oil Spill Wastewater Using Activated Carbon Developed from Watermelon Rind by Chemical Activation with H2SO4

Abstract

Watermelon rind was used to prepare activated carbon using sulphuric acid and zinc chloride as activating agent. The influence of temperature (400 - 6000C), time (2 -4hrs) and impregnation ratios (0.5–4.0) of the prepared activated carbon on the pore development and yield were investigated. Results showed that in all cases, increasing the carbonization temperature and impregnation ratio, the yield decreased. Maximum specific surface area of the activated carbon of 900m2/g was obtained at 700 0C with activation duration of 15 minutes and at an impregnation ratio of 2. The results of the adsorption showed that benzene and toluene removal largely depended on the operating parameter, as the highest removal efficiency for benzene was recorded as 51% at optimal temperature, time, and adsorbent dosage parameters. This method of adsorption removal is economical as it utilizes the use of agricultural waste.