Open AccessPetrochemical Wastewater Treatment by Eggshell Modified Biochar as Adsorbent: Atechno-Economic and Sustainable Approach
Author(s) -
Andy G. Kumi,
Mona G. Ibrahim,
Manabu Fujii,
Mahmoud Nasr
Publication year - 2022
Publication title -
adsorption science and technology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 2048-4038
pISSN - 0263-6174
DOI - 10.1155/2022/2323836
Subject(s) - biochar , adsorption , chemistry , pyrolysis , sewage sludge , wastewater , pulp and paper industry , sewage treatment , environmental chemistry , environmental science , waste management , environmental engineering , organic chemistry , engineering
Petrochemical industrial wastewater (PIW)contains toluene and xylene (TX), and various organic and inorganic pollutants, causing severe risks to human health if improperly released into the environmental matrices. For the long-term reliability of environmental conservation, this study illustrates the interlinkage between PIW treatment and the three pillars of sustainable development. Sewage sludge biochar was modified with eggshell, showing a relatively high fixed C content (increase in carbonization degree), and small O/C and N/C ratios. The prepared biochar was employed for TX adsorption in mono-component solutions, giving removal efficiencies of 79.1% (T) and 86.6% (X), at pH =10, adsorbent dosage =2 g/L, and Co =40 mg/L within 60 min. The main adsorption mechanism was physisorption, including precipitation/pore-filling, π-π dispersive interaction, and van der Waals force. The modified biochar also treated real PIW under five adsorption/regeneration cycles, providing essential steps toward large-scale applications. According to an economic feasibility estimation, the biochar application for treating 1 m3 of PIW would offer a payback period of 6.9 yr. The study outputs could be linked to the restoration of water-related ecosystems, biochar modification for industrial applications, and climate change mitigation, adopting the 2030 agenda and its sustainable development goals (SDGs).