Comparative study on defluoridation by adsorption using rice husk ash, tamarind seed powder and activated

Praveen Jyoti; Ashwini M. Arali

doi:10.3759/rtcet.v10i1.3658

Abstract

In the present study, the ability and suitability of low cost adsorbents such as rice husk ash (RHA), tamarind seed powder (TSP) to adsorb fluoride ions was investigated in jar test apparatus and results were compared with that of commercially available activated charcoal powder (ACP). The major parameters such as pH, concentration of F- ions, stirring rate, contact time and different adsorbent dosages were studied and optimized. The maximum removal of F- ion by using RHA, TSP and ACP were found to be 68%, 73% and 90% respectively for optimum values of pH, stirring rate, contact time and early concentration of 3 mg/L. In present study the test fluoride concentration was maintained at 5 mg/L. Removal efficiency of fluoride was related to the effluent volumes and was determined with the help of graphs. Freundlich isotherm was used to evaluate adsorption capacity. Tamarind seed powder was observed to be more effective than rice husk ash for water sample having initial concentration up to 3 mg/L. For test sample of 5 mg/L activated charcoal powder was found to be highly effective compared to RHA and TSP.