Removal of lead by activated carbon and citrus coal from drinking water

摘要

Heavy metals are one of the most important environmental pollutants. Among heavy metals lead (Pb) which is toxic, well recognized as an environmental pollutant. The main objective of this study was to examine the adsorption efficiency of granular activated carbon for lead (II) removal from aqueous solution compared with citrus charcoal. The removal efficiency was controlled by solution pH, initial ion concentration, height and number of column and its arrangement. The results showed that with increasing the initial concentration of lead the removal efficiency was decreased. The removal rate for citrus coal was more than the granular activated carbon. The optimum time of 120 min was considered. The maximum removal of lead for GAC and citrus coal was observed at pH = 6.5. The maximum removal of lead was observed in the citrus coal/ GAC (98.5%). The efficiency of citrus coal for Pb adsorption was higher than the GAC. Citrus Charcoal which considered as a low cost material is mainly produced from waste of citrus. Drinking water standards were obtained using Citrus coal/GAC column in series.