Design of Locally Produced Activated Carbon Filter from Agricultural Waste for Water Purification

Abstract

This paper presents basic design and fabrication of activated carbon filters from agricultural wastes (coconut and palm kernel shells) for water purification in the Northern Region of Ghana. The content of the activated carbon (AC) produced were between 80 and 90 vol. %, depending on the type of the agricultural waste used in water purification. Adsorption and turbidity tests were carried out. The test results indicated that, AC with favourable physiochemical properties can be produced locally from agricultural waste. The volume percentage of impurity removed was also evaluated to be ̴ 97 ± 2 vol. %. The superficial water flow velocity through the porous AC was found to be 1.62 m/s. Also, the volumetric flow rate was determined to be 0.056 m3/s. The filter is capable of producing 0.02 m3 of water in 2 hours. Also, the work show that, the contact time between water and the AC increases the amount of impurities removed. A paired sample T-test was used to analyse the flow rate results for both AC produced. The results obtained are then discussed for the production of locally AC filters for water purification.