Iron (III) Contaminant Removal from Aqueous Solution of Iron Trioxonitrate (III) using Chicken Eggshell Adsorbent

Abstract

Iron (III) contaminant removal from aqueous solution of iron trioxonitrate (III) using chicken eggshell adsorbent was investigated in this study. The objective was to assess the efficacy of chicken eggshell adsorbent in treatment of wastewater. Standard methods were in conducting laboratory experiments. Results indicated 85.58% carbon content and particle size range 0.075 – 4.75 mm, characteristics of good adsorbents. Maximum removal of 91.16% was observed at 1.0 g dosage of adsorbent. Optimum adsorption of Fe3+ occurred at slightly acidic pH of 6 corresponding to 91.157% removal. Contaminant removal decreases with increase in initial metal concentrations from 10 – 40 mg/l corresponding to 91.16 –76.77%, while between 20 - 60℃ optimum removal of 92.58% was observed at 40 ℃. Adsorption increased with increase in contact time between 67.84 –91.16% and equilibrium was attained at 90 minutes. The adsorption process best fits the Redlich-Peterson isotherm with highest R2- value of 0.9996, with the least errors in SSE, SAE and ARE of 0.00988, 0.15171 and 0.74788 respectively. The pseudo second-order kinetics best described the equilibrium adsorption and FTIR spectra for loaded and unloaded cases indicate that adsorption has taken place. It is concluded that eggshell is a good adsorbent. However, more research are recommended.