Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) reduction using catalytically modified activated carbon

Abstract

The reduction of chemical oxygen demand (COD) in leachate samples using activated carbon developed from palm kernel and fibre was investigated. The activated carbon that developed from palm kernel and fibre was modified catalytically and their performances have been compared with the commercial activated carbon made from charcoal in term of percentage removal of COD. Prior to catalyst addition, phosphoric acid was used to enhance the surface area of the pore structures Two metal catalyst Copper oxide (CuO) and Copper (II) Chloride (CuCl2) was investigated to improve the properties of the agricultural wastes and based on the investigation CuO was selected as the catalyst used for the catalytic modification. As COD is main parameter that used to check the performance of the activated carbon, HACH DRB 200 dry thermostat reactor and HACH DR 2800 was used to check the COD level of the leachate samples. The optimizations of dosage and contact time have been done to check the performance of the activated carbon at different parameter. The commercial activated carbon found to adsorb COD more efficient without the need to be modified catalytically.