Removal of Oil and Grease in Wastewater using Palm Kernel Shell Activated Carbon

Abstract

Oil and grease wastewater is produced from many sources such as industry and municipal. The discharge of oil and grease in wastewater system causes bad effect towards the environment and wastewater system itself. Palm Kernel Shells (PKS), an agricultural waste was chosen to see its ability in removing oil and grease in wastewater. The PKS was carbonized at 400 °C, activated with KOH and carbonized again at 800 °C. The parameter affecting oil and grease removal such as different oil and grease concentration, contact time and flow rate were studied. The oil and grease removal study was conducted by the column adsorption method and followed by the gravimetric method to identify the remaining oil and grease. PKS activated carbon shows maximum removal of 99.89% at flow rate 1mL/min after 6 hours contact time with 5%w/v initial concentration of wastewater. SEM micrograph of PKS activated carbon after adsorption of oil and grease shows that oil and grease has covered the pores of the surface of the PKS activated carbon. Overall, the PKS activated carbon has the ability in removing oil and grease which indicates that PKS can be used as a alternative treatment in removing oil and grease.