Utilisation of rice straw activated carbon in treatment of POME using adsorption method

Mohamad Jani, S.

Abstract
Rice straw activated carbon (RSAC) was produced and used to decolourise organic dyes and palm oil mill effluent
(POME) via adsorption processes. Rice straw was carbonised and activated using potassium hydroxide (KOH) and
sodium hydroxide (NaOH) to produce activated carbon. The properties of activated carbon (AC) were studied through
surface and morphology analyses. The regeneration of the adsorbents by adsorption/desorption processes shows that
the AC can be regenerated up to five cycles while still providing adsorption capacity at maximum of 67.26% at first
regeneration and as low as 2.72% at fifth regeneration. The RSAC was also used for the treatment of POME for
decolourisation and the reduction of total organic carbon (TOC) as well as chemical oxygen demand (COD). This
study suggested that the RSAC can be potentially used as an adsorbent for the removal of different types of positives
charges adsorbates and POME from aqueous solution.

Keywords: rice straw, POME, KOH, NaOH, adsorption

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