Removal of Chromium Cr(Vi) of Tanning Effluent with Activated Carbon from Tannery Solid Wastes

This study offers an integrated process for treatment and recycling of tannery waste, it has a dual purpose. First the activated carbon (AC) has been prepared from leather shaving (LS) and goat hair (GH) by physical activation. Both the raw material and the prepared activated carbon were analyzed by DTG, TGA, and SEM. The adsorption tests of methylene blue (MB) and iodine onto the raw material and the prepared adsorbent were carried out and it was found that the adsorption capacity of the activated carbon was enhanced by the physical activation. The AC was then characterized by BET surface area and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FTIR). The BET surface area was found to be 491.05 and 242.60 m2/g for ACs prepared from LS and GH respectively and the functional groups on the adsorbent surface were mainly CN, NH, OH, CO and CS. Secondly, the performance of the prepared AC was assessed by adsorption of chrome (VI) from a synthetic solution, and then the chrome (III) present in the tanning effluent. The results revealed a decrease of chromium by 78% and 73% for the activated carbons prepared from (LS) and (GH), respectively.