Mercury removal using modified activated carbon of peat soil and coal in simulated landfill leachate
Mochamad Arief Budihardjo, Yudha Gusti Wibowo, Bimastyaji Surya Ramadan, Muhamad Allan Serunting, Eflita Yohana, Syafrudin Syafrudin
Abstract
This study focuses on the production of activated carbon from peat soil and coal, and the use of CaO from clamshell byproducts as a pH buffer, to reduce mercury content in artificial landfill leachate. Activated carbon from coal and peat soil was characterized according to its water content, ash content, iodine sorption, methilene blue sorption, and by XRD, SEM, and FTIR analysis. Clamshell was characterized using XRF analysis. The results indicate that the equilibrium point for mercury reduction was reached after 100 min of agitation at 500 rpm at different pH levels. These results also suggest that mercury does not undergo precipitation at neutral or near alkaline pH. Mercury content was successfully reduced by 81% during the adsorption process. The adsorption capacities of activated carbon in coal and peat soil are 114 mg/g and 102 mg/g. The Langmuir isotherm model was used as it was most appropriate for mercury adsorption. This study shows that activated carbon from peat soil and coal can be utilized as a low-cost adsorbent for treating landfill leachate.