Ability to Remove Metals and Heavy Metals from Groundwater of Activated Carbon from Palm Frond

Abstract

The purpose of this research was to investigate the quality of groundwater in Bangkeiad Subdistrict, Singhanakhon District, Songkhla Province before and after the filtration with activated carbon from palm charcoal frond. Then it was activated with phosphoric acid, concentration 85%, activation time 6 hours, temperature 400 ºC. The mass ratio of charcoal to phosphoric acid volume is 1 : 3 and used to test groundwater filtration. Test results in water before filtering Fe concentrations in water sources A and B were lower than the maximum allowance (1.0 mg/L), while C and D had values higher than the maximum allowable limit of 2.330 mg/L. and 1.657 mg/L, respectively. Mn was not detected in water source A, while in water source B, C, and D the values were higher than the maximum tolerance limit (0.5 mg/L) equal to 1.589, 1.295 and 0.964 mg/L, respectively. Zn in water sources A, B, C, and D had values lower than the maximum tolerance limit (15 mg/L). Cu, Cd, and Pb were not detected in water sources A, B, C, and D. After filtration, the concentrations of Fe, Mn, Zn, Cu, Cd, and Pb increased at all sources. Results of surface characterization using SEM, when activated with phosphoric acid, the lateral surface condition changes. The acid content is too high, causing the pore structure to be destroyed and the adsorption capacity lost. The cross-sectional area, there was no reaction. Moreover, XRF test results found Fe Mn Cu contamination in palm charcoal. As a result, groundwater from all 4 sources contained trace amounts of metals and heavy metals increased after going through the palm frond activated carbon filtration process.