ADSORPTIVE CAPACITY OF COFFEE HUSK IN THE REMOVAL OF CHROMIUM (VI) AND ZINK (II) FROM TANNERY EFFLUENT: KINETICS AND EQUILIBRIUM STUDIES

Tannery wastewater is the most challenging due to the complex toxic pollutants it releases into the environment. Similarly, coffee husk from coffee processing operations pollutes the environment. The use of coffee husk to remove hexavalent chromium (VI) and Zink (II)from tannery wastewater solves pollution problems due to untreated tannery wastewater and coffee husk. A batch adsorption process was conducted to determine chromium (VI) and Zink (II)adsorptive capacity of waste coffee husk to treat tannery wastewater. The effects of adsorbent dose (0.2-2.4 g/L), contact time (20- 60 min), agitation speed (50-250 rpm), and pH value (2-8) on the adsorptive capacity of coffee husk on the removal of hexavalent chromium (VI) & zinc (II) from tannery wastewater were studied. Using 2.4 g/L adsorbent dose, 250 rpm agitation speed, 60 min contact time, and pH value of 2, a maximum Cr(VI) removal capacity of coffee husk was 83%. The maximum Zn(II) removal capacity of coffee husk was found to be 79% at an adsorbent dose of 2.4 g/L, 60 min contact time, pH 7, and agitation speed of 250 rpm. Therefore, it can be concluded that coffee husk achieved significant removal of hexavalent chromium (VI) and zinc (II) from tannery wastewater.