Studies on Chromium (Vi) Removal by Activated Tamarind Nut Carbon

K. Srinivasan and G. Geethamani

Department of Chemistry, College of Engineerign, Salem- 636 011 (India)

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ABSTRACT:

The activated carbon prepared by carbonization of tamarind nut with sulpuric acid followed by thermal activation showed 100% removal of Cr(VI) at optimum pH 1.0 when a minimum Cr(VI) to carbon ratio of 0.005 was maintained. The above ratio was valid even for higher concentration of Cr(VI). The adsorption capacities calculated by Freundlich adsorption isotherm gave 16.58 mg/g and 7.54 mg/g of Cr(VI) removal at pH 1.0 for distilled and tap waters respectively. The overall rate constant obtained by kinetic experiments indicated that Cr(VI) removal was more as the concentration decreased.

KEYWORDS:

Chromium(VI); activated carbon; Tamarind nut; Freundlich adsorption isotherm