The application of metakaolin based geopolymer in adsorption study for iron, manganese and colour removal from groundwater

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Date
2019-06
Authors
Mohamad Hafizie Bin Mat Rowi
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Abstract
The objective of this research is to investigate the potential of geopolymer based metakaolin as adsorbent in removing heavy metals and colour in groundwater from tube well in School of Civil Engineering, Universiti Sains Malaysia. The concentration of iron, manganese and colour from groundwater sample exceed the permissible limit stated by Ministry of Health for drinking water standard. Based on previous research, common adsorbent used in groundwater treatment are zeolite, limestone and activated carbon. However, literature review also show the potential of geopolymer based metakaolin as adsorbent in water treatment. The main objective of this research was the ability geopolymer based metakaolin in removing heavy metals and colour from groundwater. In this research, three samples of geopolymer was prepared with different solid to liquid ratio which were 0.4, 0.6 and 0.8. The best mix design ratio chooses was solid to liquid ratio 0.8 based on ability to maintain their structure when exposed to water. The best geopolymer sample selected was used as adsorbent in adsorption batch study. Batch study conducted based of effect of dosage, shaking speed and contact time. The percentage removal recorded was 100% for iron and manganese at optimum dosage, shaking speed and contact time which were 2g/ mL, 125 rpm and 1 hour. The highest removal of colour recorded was 68.75% in dosage study. In the equilibrium data analysis, Langmuir isotherm model found to fit the adsorption in this study better than Freundlich isotherm. Based on the removal rate established in the study, geopolymer based metakaolin is a potential adsorbent in the removal of heavy metals, specifically for iron and manganese as well as colour in groundwater.
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