Batch adsorption of semi-aerobic landfill leachate by granular activated carbon prepared by microwave heating

In this work, tamarind fruit seed derived granular activated carbon (TSAC) was prepared by microwave heating for the adsorptive treatment of semi-aerobic landfill leachate. TSAC was examined by pore structural analysis and determination of surface acidity/basicity. The effects of adsorbent dosage, contact time, and solution pH on the adsorptive removal of color and non-biodegradable constituents, expressed in term of chemical oxygen demand (COD) were quantified. The experimental results manifested that the adsorptive removal of color and COD increased with increasing the adsorbent dosage and contact time, with the adsorptive removal of color and COD of 91.23% and 79.93%, respectively, at the adsorbent dosage of 6 mg/200 mL and pH 6. The adsorption kinetic was satisfactory fitted to the pseudo-second-order kinetic model. Equilibrium data were favorably described by the Langmuir isotherm model, showing a monolayer adsorption capacity for color and COD of 168.57 Pt–Co/g and 64.93 mg/g at 30 °C, respectively.

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► Highlight the renewable use of tamarind fruit seed.
► Explore the efficient use of microwave irradiation.
► To examine the physical and chemical characteristics of the adsorbent.
► To evaluate the potential for the adsorptive treatment of landfill leachate.
► Outline the adsorption isotherms, kinetics and thermodynamics.