View of REMOVAL OF TURBIDITY USING VETIVER GRASS ROOT POWDER AND ITS COMPARISON WITH GROUNDNUT SHELL POWDER AND RICE HUSK POWDER

(1)

Vol.04,Special Issue 06, (IC-IREASM-2019) October 2019, Available Online: www.ajeee.co.in/index.php/AJEEE

1

REMOVAL OF TURBIDITY USING VETIVER GRASS ROOT POWDER AND ITS COMPARISON WITH GROUNDNUT SHELL POWDER AND RICE HUSK POWDER

1D.Soundar Rajan, ²Snehalata Kotagi

1Professor, Vignan Institute of Technology and Science Deshmuki Village, Yadadri, Bhuvanagiri,Telangana 508284 India.

2Assistant professor, St. Martin’s Engineering College, Secunderabad – 500100 Abstract - Turbidity actually refers to the cloudiness of a solution. It indicates the presence of Total Suspended Solids; like clay, silt, organic matter which is very harmful for mankind, biologically as well as chemically. They give an undesirable tastes and odors. Due to the adsorptive characteristics of colloidal solutions, disinfection of turbid water is not always possible. Turbidity refers to the cloudiness of a solution and its characteristics that are imparted by the suspended solid particles limiting the passing of light through water sample. Usage of natural products to reduce turbidity in a water sample is a technique that has been repeated from years, and the material used are safe and effective, like Rice husk, Ground-nut shells and vetiver root. These materials reduce the level of turbidity to their best (more than 60%). The materials are generally named as bio-adsorbent which can remove turbidity from any sort of water sample. The turbidity removal efficiency of groundnut shell powder (76.66%) was high when compared to rice husk powder (72.93%) and vetiver root powder (73.55%). Vetiver root powder is also a good bio-adsorbent. Vetiver grass root which one of the medicinal plant root also has the turbidity removal property and can be used as a natural adsorbent. These natural adsorbents can be effectively used for reducing turbidity without giving any chemical treatment.

Key Words: Bio-adsorbent, Vetiver grass root, Ground-nut shells, Rice husk 1 INTRODUCTION

Water from all sources must be purified before consuming. Various methods are used to make water safe and attractive to the consumer. The method that is employed mainly depends on the character of the raw water. One of the problems with treatment of surface water is the large seasonal variation in turbidity (Mc Connachie et al., 1999).Bulk amount of individual particles that are normallyundetectable to naked eyecause haziness to fluid and it is called as turbidity.The measurement of turbidity is a key test of water quality.

Human activities that disturb land, such as construction, mining and agriculture, can lead to high sediment levels entering water bodies during rain storms due to storm water runoff. The removal of colloidal and suspended particles present in water would be extremely beneficial as it would assuage the majority of problems associated with turbidity (Myre E, R Shaw, 2006).

Harmful Impact of Consuming Turbid Water (Minnesota Pollution Control Agency, 2008):

 Acting directly on fish, killing them or reducing their growth rate, resistance to disease, etc.

 Preventing successful development of fish eggs and larvae

 Modifying natural movements and migrations

 Reducing the amount of food available

 Affecting the efficiency of methods for catching fish.

The European standards for turbidity state that it must be no more than 4 NTU (Drinking Water Inspectorate). The World Health Organization (W.H.O), establishes that the turbidity of drinking water should not be more than 5 NTU, and should ideally be below 1 NTU.

Developing countries pay a high cost to import chemicals for water treatment. In most of the cases these care expensive since they are required in higher dose and do not show effectiveness. Many of the chemicals are also associated with human health and environmental problems (Kaggwa et al, 2001). So, there raised a voice to develop cost- effective easier, and environmental friendly process of water clarification.

Proficiency of adsorption is essentially dependent on the factors like nature of adsorbent and its dosage, pH, concentration, temperature, agitation time etc., This work is focused on turbidity removal efficiency of wastewater by using powder of groundnut shells, activated rice husk, and vetiver root as adsorbents.

(2)

2 2 FACTORS AFFECTING ADSORPTION

pH: The pH of the solution would affect both aqueous chemistry and surface binding sites of the adsorbents. The effect of pH in turn depends on the charge on the adsorbent surface.

If the adsorbent surface is negatively charged, at lower pH, the large number of H⁺ ions present neutralizes the negatively charged adsorbent surface, thereby reducing hindrance to the diffusion, and a better adsorption is obtained. If the surface charge of the adsorbent is positively charged, the H⁺ ions may compete effectively with the cations of the solution causing a decrease in the amount of metal ion adsorbed (Jiaping, 2012).

Contact time: The amount adsorbed on to the adsorbent is in a state of dynamic equilibrium with the amount desorbed from the adsorbent. The time required to attain this state of equilibrium is termed as the equilibrium time. The amount adsorbed at the equilibrium time reflects the maximum adsorption capacity of the adsorbent under the operating conditions.

Concentration: Whatever be the mechanism of adsorption from the solution, it is certain that the extent depends mainly on the available surface of the adsorbent. The process of adsorption is almost invariably reversible and a definite equilibrium is reached in a short time dependent on the concentration of the solution and quantity of the adsorbent.

Temperature and Pressure: Increase of temperature and decrease of pressure increase the extent of adsorption. This fact that heat is absorbed in the process of adsorption is implied in the Le Chatliers principles.

Surface Area (particle size): The adsorbents with smaller particle size have a higher ability in the adsorption process with large external surface. Therefore, more metal ions could be removed than the large particles. The adsorption increases as the particle size decreases, because the surface area increases when the particle size decreases.

3 ADSORBENTS USED

Rice husk: India is a major rice producing country. The annual rice husk produce in India amounts is generally approximately 120 million tons. Its absorbent and insulating properties are useful to many industrial applications, such as acting as a strengthening agent in building materials.

Vernacular names are as follows:

English : Rice husk

Hindi : Bhuusii

Telugu : Biyyampottu Kannada : Anna sippe Malayalam : Umikari

Marathi : Tus

Tamil : Aricitavitu

Figure 1: Rice Husk

Groundnut shells: Groundnut is therefore an oilseed crop on a global scale. Groundnuts are predominantly grown in developing countries (Asia and Africa), where the crop finds the appropriate climates for optimum production. Recent studies show that groundnut shells are very efficient in turbidity reduction.

(3)

3 Vernacular names are as follows:

English : Groundnut shell Telugu : Verusenaga Gorre Hindi : Moongphali Khol Kannada : Kadalekai Sel Malayalam : Nilakkatalasel Marathi : Bhugyimugasela Tamil : Nilakkatalaisel

Figure 2: Groundnut shell

Vetiveriazizainoide: Being native to India, vetiver has been widely used traditionally for extraction of perfumery oil from its roots since ancient days. Since centuries, its hedges are used for contour protection. Usually it is known as vetiver grass, which is a clump of grass originating in south India. Vetiver is a member of family of grasses such as Maize, Sugarcane, Sorghum and lemon grass. Vetiver grass (vetiveriazizanioide L. Nash) is a perennial with high speed growth, high biomass production which possesses deep root system (Kanokporn and Monchai, 2008). In 1995, it was recognized that vetiver grass possess “super adsorbent” property that is appropriate for discarding leachate and effluent produced from landfill and wastewater treatment plants.

Vernacular names are as follows:

English : Vetiver

Kannada : Laamancha, Karidappasajjehullu Sanskrit : Ushira

Hindi : Khas, Khus

Malayalam : Ramachham, Vettiveru Marathi : Vala

Tamil : Vattiver

Telugu : Kuruveeru, Vettiveellu

Figure 3: Vetiver Grass Root

(4)

4 4 METHODOLOGIES

Experiment is carried out using synthetic artificial turbid water. A Conventional Jar test apparatus was used in the experiment. The methodology adopted for the proposed study was shown in figure 4and table 1 shows the variables studied.

Figure 4: Flow-chart for Batch Experiments

Efficiency of Turbidity removal, R (%) was calculated using the formula given below R % = (^Ti−Te

Ti ) x 100

(5)

5 Where,

Ti – Initial turbidity value of solution Te – Final turbidity value of solution

Table 1: Experimental Conditions Investigated

Parameters Values Investigated Agitation time (t) mins 10, 20, 30, 40, 50, 60 Adsorbent dosage (M) gm 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0 pH of the aqueous

solution 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Initial Turbidity (Ti)NTU High turbid range : 90-120 NTU Rotation speed, RPM 100

5 RESULTS AND DISCUSSIONS

Effect of Adsorbent Dosage: It is witnessed that turbidity removal efficiency usually increases on increasing the adsorbent doses.From figure 5 it was clear that there was no further increase in adsorption seen after addition of certain amount of adsorbent. After a certain dose of adsorbent, equilibrium state is attained and hence the amount of ions bound to the adsorbent and the amount of free ions in the solution remain constant even with further addition of adsorbents. So, 2g of Rice husk powder, 2g of groundnut shell powder, 2.5g of vetiver root powder is considered as optimum dose and is used for further experiments.

Figure 5: Effect of adsorbent dosage for Turbidity removal for different adsorbents Effect of pH: It is seen that pH certainly influenced the adsorption process.It is evident from the figure 6 that the maximum turbidity removal efficiency of Rice husk powder and Groundnut shell powder was found to be 72.93% and 76.66% at pH 6. Where as for Vetiver powder it was found to be 73.55% at pH 8.

Figure 6: Effect of pH for Turbidity removal for different adsorbents 58

60 62 64 66 68 70 72 74 76 78

0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Rice husk powder

Groundn ut Shell powder

(6)

6 5.1 Effect of Contact time

Turbidity Removal Efficiency was recorded at contact time of 10 to 60 mins. It is evident from the figure 7 that the maximum turbidity removal efficiency of Rice husk powder was found to be 72.93% at contact time 60mins and that of Groundnut shell powder was found to be 76.66% at contact time 50mins. Similarly, the maximum turbidity removal efficiency of Vetiver powder was found to be 73.55% at contact time 60mins.

Figure 7: Effect of contact time for Turbidity removal for different adsorbents 5.2 General Comparision

Figure 8: Comparison of Turbidity removal efficiency of different adsorbents 6 CONCLUSION

Results show that turbidity removal efficiency of groundnut shell powder 76.66% was high when compared to rice husk powder 72.93% and vetiver root powder 73.55%. Groundnut shell powder has shown 76.66% removal efficiency for 2g of optimum dosage at pH 6 in 60mins. Rice husk powder has shown 72.93% removal efficiency for 2g of optimum dosage at pH 6 in 50mins. Vetiver root powder has shown 73.55% removal efficiency for 2.5g of optimum dosage at pH 8 in 60mins. These natural adsorbents can be effectively used for turbidity without giving any chemical treatment for adsorbents.

Vetiver grass root which one of the medicinal plant root also has the turbidity removal property and can be used as a natural adsorbent.

REFERENCES

1. Abirami. M, Rohini. C (2017), “A Comparative Study on the Treatment of Turbid Water Using MoringaOleifera and Alum as Coagulants”, International Conference on Emerging trends in Engineering, Science and Sustainable Technology (ICETSST-2017), pp. 41-48.

2. Ajay kumar, KalyaniMohanta, Devendra Kumar and Om Prakash (2012), “Properties and Industrial Applications of Rice husk: A review” International Journal of Emerging Technology and Advanced Engineering, Volume 2, Issue 10, October 2012.

(7)

7

3. AneezEbrahim, Mohammad ali, Gautham, Jawahar and SekarbabuHariram (2011), “A preliminary attempt to reduce total dissolved solids in groundwater using different plant parts” International Journal of Pharma and Bio sciences, Volume 2, Issue 2 2011, pp. 414-422.

4. Ashaye A. O, Ijadunola, J.A., I. O. Adewumi, M.I.Oguntade and Ogunlade M. J. .(2011). “Comparative study on the filtration properties of local sand, rice hull and rice hull ash”. Sacha Journal of Environmental Studies, Volume 1, Issue 2, pp. 103-129.

5. C.P. Pise, Dr. S. A. Halkude (2015), “A New Technique for Purification of Water using Natural Coagulant”

International Journal of Engineering and Technology (IJET), ISSN: 0975-4024, Vol 6 Issue 6 Dec 2014- Jan 2015, pp. 2564-2572.

6. F.V. Adams, Ikotun B.D., Patrick D.O., and A. F. Malabar – bafubiandi (2014) “Characterization of Rice Hull Ash and Its Performance in Turbidity Removal from Water” Particulate Science and Technology: An International Journal, Volume 32, Issue 4.

7. Hmaruzzaman M., and Gupta V.K. (2011). “Rice husk and its ash as low-cost adsorbents in water and wastewater treatment.” Industrial and Engineering Chemistry Research, Volume 50, Issue 24.

8. Hussein Janna (2016), “Effectiveness of Using Natural Materials as a Coagulant for Reduction of Water Turbidity in Water Treatment” World Journal of Engineering and Technology, 2016, Volume 5, Issue 4, pp. 505-516.

9. Jiapoing. P. C (2012), “Decontamination of Heavy Metals: Processes, Mechanisms & Applications” CRC Press, ISBN: 978-1-4398-1667-7.

10. Kaggwa, R. C., Mulalelo, C. I., Denny, P. and Okurut, T. O. (2001): The impact of alum discharges on a natural tropical wetland in Uganda, Water Research, 35 (3): 795-807.

11. KanokpornBoonsong and MonchaiChansiri (2008) “Domestic Wastewater Treatment Using Vetiver Grass Cultivated with Floating Platform Technique” Au J.T., volume 12 (2), pp:73-80.

12. L.G. Aajish, Dr. J. Thirumal (2014), IOSR Journal of Environmental Science, Toxicology and Food Technology (IOSR-JESTFT), Volume 8, Issue 5 Ver. III May. 2014, pp. 28-33.

13. McConnachie, G.L., Folkard, G.K., Mtawali, M.A., and Sutherland, J.P. (1999). Field Trials of Appropriate Hydraulic Flocculation Processes. Wat. Res., Vol. 33 (6), pp. 1425-1434.

14. Md. Asrafuzzaman, A. N. M. Fakhruddin and Md. Alamgir Hossain (2011), “Reduction of Turbidity of Water Using Locally Available Natural Coagulants” ISRN Microbiology, Volume 2011 (2011).

15. Mukheled al sameraiy (2012), “A Novel Water Pretreatment Approach for Turbidity Removal Using Date Seeds and Pollen Sheath” Journal of Water Resource and Protection, 2012, Volume 3, Issue 4, pp. 79-92.

16. M.F. DeSouza, Magalhaes W.L.E., and M.C. Persegil (2002), “Silica derived from burned rice hulls”.

Materials Research Volume 5, Issue 4, pp. 467-474.

17. Myre, E. & Shaw, R., 2006. The turbidity tube: simple and accurate measurement of turbidity in the field., S.l.: Michigan Technological University.

18. NurFatinahAbd Aziz, Rajesh Nithyanandam (2014), “Design an Adsorption Unit for Lake Water Treatment from Taylor’s University” EURECA 2014 – Conference Paper.

19. Shah, F.A., Shah A.K., Mehdi A, Memon A.A., Harijan K., and Z.M. Ali, (2012), “Analysis and treatment of industrial wastewater through chemical coagulation adsorption process” - AIP Conf. Proc. 1453, PP. 353- 358.

20. Vigneswaran S., Visvanathan C. (1995), “Water Treatment Processes”: CRC Press, New York 1995.

21. V.P. Della, I. Kuhn, D. Hotza (2002), “Rice husk ash as an alternate source for active silica production”, Brazil (2002).

22. Jiaping PC. Decontamination of heavy metals:

23. processes, mechanisms and applications. Boca Raton, 24. Florida: CRC Press; 2012 Dec 18. 454 p.