A column study on removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen, sulfate and turbidity using limestone and activated carbon

Abstract

Industrial wastewater is one of the major concerned of the environment problem. As the wastewater found to be highly contaminant, it could not be discharge directly into the environment. Therefore, wastewater treatment is essential to minimize the effect of the contaminants to nature. A column study was conducted to assess the removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen, sulfate and turbidity using limestone and activated carbon as filter media. The limestone and activated carbon that has been used was selected at range of sizes is 2 mm. The column studies were conducted using column of 9.5 cm diameter and 24.5 cm length respectively maintaining a constants flow rate of 8 ml per second. The parameter of chemical oxygen demand (COD) for limestone has the lowest percentage of removal which is, 77.18 % compared to activated carbon which has the highest percentage of removal efficiency, which is 79.25%. Meanwhile percentages of removal for ammoniacal nitrogen using limestone as a media is the lowest percentage, 23.58% compared to activated carbon which has the highest percentage of removal efficiency, which is 40 %. Besides that, percentages of removal for sulfate using limestone as a media is the lowest percentage, which is, 80.63 % compared to activated carbon which has the highest percentage of removal efficiency, which is 85.63 %. Lastly, percentages of removal for turbidity using limestone as a media is the lowest percentage, 89.85 % compared to activated carbon which has the highest percentage of removal efficiency, which is 92.67 %. Therefore, based on result of the experiment have been done limestone has shown the lowest percentage of removal efficiency compared to activated carbon as a media.