Adsorption of Iron from Aqueous Solution Using Limonia acidissima Fruit Shell Activated Carbon as an Adsorbent

The presence of iron is probably the most common water problem faced by consumers and water treatment professionals. Iron may cause conjunctivitis, choroiditis and retinitis if it contacts and remains in the tissues. Hence, to remove iron from water with the methods available, adsorption has gained popularity due to several advantages. A batch study adsorption has been conducted by adsorption process using activated carbon prepared from wood apple (Limonia acidissima) fruit shell as an adsorbent and the removal efficiency was determined by optimizing the parameters such as dosage, time, pH and concentration. The maximum removal efficiency was found to be more than 60%. This experimental study proves to be an economical method of iron removal since the developed product is a waste product. Even, small industries with iron-bound wastewater can adopt this method of treatment and hence, prevent the polluted water entering streams.