Investigation of Moringa Oleifera as Potential Green Coagulant for Removal of Phenol from Aqueous Solution

• Main Author: Krishnan, Thanushya
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi PETRONAS 2012
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/9859/1/2012%20-%20Investigation%20of%20Morringa%20Oleifera%20as%20Potential%20Green%20Goagulant%20for%20Removal%20of%20Phenol%20from.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/9859/

Highly water-soluble phenols have not satisfactorily been removed by current physical or chemical treatment of water thus a new approach using coagulation with a natural coagulant was investigated in this study. The need for alternative coagulant was crucial because conventional coagulant produce high amount of sludge which is nonbiodegradable. The seed powder of a pan tropical tree, Moringa Oleiftra was tested as a natural coagulant for phenol removal in wastewater treatment. Natural coagulants are more environmental friendly and produce lesser amount of sludge. The use of this coagulant was assisted by coagulants aids like bentonite and lime. Phenol contaminated wastewater was treated using the enhanced coagulation method. The experiments had been carried out by varying few parameters like dosage of coagulant (Moringa Oleiftra), pH, temperature and effect of coagulant aids (lime and bentonite). Series of jar test had been conducted with 3 minutes of rapid mixing at 200 rpm, followed by 30 minutes of slow mixing at 45 rpm and 1 hour of settling process. Afterwards, the solution was tested for phenol level, Chemical Oxygen Demand (COD) and amount of sludge produced. The optimum condition for the process was at 4000ppm of Moringa Oleifera, pH 11 at room temperature and lime as coagulant aid at 2000ppm. The phenol removal percentage was 77%, COD reduction percentage was 70% and 0.7324g sludge was produced at the optimum condition.