The effect of hydrogen peroxide treatment on functional properties of paddy husk biochar and its application for wastewater treatment

Abstract

Paddy husk is one of the biomass raw materials and byproducts of the rice production and processing industry. It is very much abundant in Sri Lanka, which is readily available as an energy source. Paddy husk contains silica as a special characteristic component. Application of paddy husk is novel in Sri Lanka. Though it has perceived implications, the process may impose limitations in its application. Appropriate knowledge of the functional properties of paddy husk is required for applying them in thermochemical conversion processes like pyrolysis. The ultimate objective of this study is to identify the effectiveness of wastewater treatment using biochar, derived from H2O2-treated paddy husk. The changes in functional properties: moisture content, proximate analysis, true density, bulk density, and porosity of paddy husks, before and after H2O2 treatment were evaluated in this study. Two main variables: concentration of H2O2 and treatment temperature, were considered. The H2O2 treatment method was investigated to remove the lignin distributed in the lignocellulosic matrix of paddy husk. The results obtained from this experimental study showed that there was a significant difference in the functional properties of the paddy husk after H2O2 treatment. The biosorbent adsorption process is the finest treatment method, for the removal of methylene blue dye. The use of H2O2-treated paddy husk bio sorbent as an alternative cost-effective adsorbent in the removal of methylene blue has been extensively studied and compiled. Biochar as a firm carbonaceous material shows reasonable potential to oversee wastewater contaminants, due to induced pore spaces that are responsible for the removal of contaminants.