Removal of Pb(II) from wastewater by using chemically treated rice husk

Abstract

The study on the performance of low–cost adsorbents such as untreated rice husk (RH) and phosphoric acid–treated rice husk (RHC) in removing lead (II) ion in the wastewater industrial effluents was carried out. The physical-chemical characteristics of adsorbents are determined by using Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) Spectrometer for functional group determination. The batch experiment was conducted at varying contact time (0 – 300 minutes) and initial concentration (50 ppm - 250 ppm), pH (1-13), and adsorbent dosage (0.2 g – 1.0 g). The experimental result shown that the equilibrium time for both RH and RHC can reach its equilibrium time after 3 hours. While for the initial concentration, 250 ppm of lead nitrate solution shows the lowest removal efficiency for both RH and RHC.