Optimizing filter sizing using lignocellulosic adsorbents for water purification

Abstract Water treatment plants commonly deliver water that often contains some contaminants at levels exceeding permitted limits. Adsorption is an efficient and low-cost method for removing metal ions, although it is not widely applied on a large scale. Significant research is being conducted on alternatives that facilitate the use of lignocellulose adsorbents for this purpose. The aim of this study was to determine parameters for sizing a filter to remove impurities from the water supply using lignocellulosic adsorbents in a fixed bed column. The adsorption capacities of banana peel fiber, coconut shell, and coffee grounds for manganese ions were evaluated and compared to select the most effective adsorbent. The banana peel fiber demonstrated significantly superior performance and was selected for further investigation. The concentration of manganese in the solutions was measured using an Energy Dispersion X-Ray Fluorescence Spectrometer (EDXRF). The kinetics of adsorption were fitted to the pseudo-second-order model, while the Langmuir isothermal model was used to determine adsorption capacity. Additionally, the Thomas model was applied to describe the behavior of the fixed bed column for Mn 2 ⁺ ions. The maximum adsorption capacity of the banana peel fiber for Mn 2 ⁺ was found to be 6.17 mg L⁻ 1 , utilizing 940 g of banana adsorbent in a column that was 30 cm high and 12 cm in diameter, with a flow rate of 238 L d⁻ 1 . An estimated service time of 84 days was calculated. A proposal was made outlining operational parameters for water filtration on a domestic scale, with a capacity of approximately 20 m 3 of water.