Water hyacinth biochar; recovery of dye from textile effluent using treated waste / Farah Amalina Binti Ishak

Faculty of Civil Engineering Technology

Thesis (Doctor of Philosophy in Civil Engineering) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang – 2024

Includes bibliographical references

This research aims to develop an eco-friendly, and sustainable adsorbent derived from waste-water hyacinth (WH) biomass to remove organic dyes from textile effluents. The specific objectives of this study are: (i) to synthesize activated biochar from WH biomass using pyrolysis and chemical modifications; (ii) to optimize the biochar production process using Response Surface Methodology (RSM) to obtain the best adsorption capacity and removal efficiency; (iii) to characterize the physical and chemical properties of the biochar using advanced analytical techniques; and (iv) to analyze the adsorption data using kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms to evaluate the biochar's efficiency in dye removal. WHBC was produced through pyrolysis, followed by chemical modifications to enhance its adsorption capacity. The adsorption process was optimized using a Box-Behnken experimental design to determine ideal operating conditions, maximizing dye removal efficiency. This approach not only provides a sustainable use for invasive water hyacinth but also contributes to advancing affordable and effective treatment options for industrial wastewater. The physicochemical properties of the optimized biochar were extensively analyzed using techniques such as Fourier Transform Infrared spectroscopy (FTIR), Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) with Energy Dispersive X-ray (EDX), Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, and thermogravimetric analysis (TGA). Adsorption experiments were conducted to assess the biochar's performance in removing organic dyes from textile wastewater, and the data was fitted to kinetic models and equilibrium isotherms to gain insights into the adsorption mechanisms. The findings demonstrated that WHBC has exhibits excellent adsorption capacity and dye removal efficiency, positioning it as a promising and sustainable alternative to conventional adsorbents in textile wastewater treatment. This work not only advances sustainable waste management practices but also contributes to the development of efficient, biochar-based solutions for environmental remediation, addressing critical challenges in pollutant removal while minimizing environmental impact.