Vetivera Sp as a Low Cost Adsorbent to Adsorb Cr (VI) from Electroplating Industrial Effluent

Abstract

Chromium (Cr) plating is one of the most widely used forms of electroplating. It is also an important source of heavy and toxic metal discharges into wastewater lines. In the present study the biosorption capacity of Vetivera root has been studied with reference to removal of Cr (VI) from the chromium plating effluent. The results of biosorption studies in terms of pH, agitation time and dosage of adsorbent, revealed higher metal removal up to 150 ppm/g of adsorbent. Metal [Cr (VI)] removal within 120 min was enhanced up to 78.5%. Cr (VI) removal is higher at lower pH of 2.5. The reuse of plant biomass was subjected to elution studies using various eluting agents such as HNO₃, HCl, H₂SO₄, Thiourea and EDTA. The retention capacity of Vetivera was almost constant after three cycles of elution. Hence, this process can be used as an alternative to classical cost effective technology for heavy metal recovery and would also be efficient for effluent treatment system.

Keywords:

• Adsorbent
• Cr (VI)
• Vetivera Sp
• Effluent