Characterization of coffee waste as an activated carbon in treating wastewater dye / Amirul Ikmal Bin Sejali

Faculty of Chemical and Process Engineering Technology

Final Year Report (Bachelor of Chemical Engineering Technology) -- Universiti Malaysia Pahang Al-Sultan Abdullah - 2024

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The wastewater issue stemming from textile industries poses a significant global challenge, demanding effective remediation strategies. Among these, the adsorption process, particularly utilizing activated carbon, emerges as a promising avenue for addressing dyeing wastewater concerns. Innovative approaches seek to repurpose unconventional materials, such as coffee grounds residue, as adsorbents. Coffee grounds, abundant byproducts of the coffee industry, offer a viable solution owing to their lignocellulosic structure and widespread availability. Key to their efficacy is the highly porous nature and substantial surface area of coffee grounds, facilitating the adsorption of dye molecules from wastewater. Consequently, researchers aim to exploit this potential by producing activated carbon from spent coffee grounds through physical, chemical, and hybrid activation methods. Physical activation involves thermal decomposition under different activating temperatures of 400,450 and 500oc, generating pores within the carbon structure. Chemical activation, alternatively, involves impregnation with a chemical agent of ZnCl2 and H3PO4, enhancing porosity. Combining both methods aims to synergistically improve adsorption capacity. Synthetic dyes like Methylene Blue will serve as model contaminants to evaluate the effectiveness of coffee waste-derived activated carbon in simulated wastewater solutions. By rigorously analyzing adsorption performance across various activation methods, researchers aim to establish the viability of this approach. This research not only addresses wastewater challenges but also underscores the importance of sustainable resource utilization. By valorizing coffee waste, it offers a renewable and cost-effective alternative to commercial activated carbon. In essence, leveraging coffee waste-derived activated carbon presents a promising opportunity for mitigating textile industry wastewater issues. Through interdisciplinary collaboration and innovative thinking, this endeavor contributes to sustainable waste management while promoting the circular economy.