Extraction of Cr (VI) from Aqueous Solution using Oil Palm waste impregnated with sulphuric acid

Abstract

Surplus, abundantly available oil palm fibre can be made into a low-cost adsorbent for the removal of hexavalent chromium (Cr [VI]) from aqueous solution. Simple chemical and heat treatment was conducted on oil palm fibre to enhance its adsorptive capacity. Optimum pH and adsorption equilibrium of Cr (VI) by sulphuric acid-impregnated palm fibre were studied using batch technique. pH 1.5 was found to be the optimum condition for maximum uptake of Cr (VI) from aqueous solution. Cr (VI) adsorption process onto treated palm fibre was noted to conform to Langmuir isotherm model, yielding adsorptive capacity of 85.01 mg/g.