Removal of Amine Solutions from Artificial Wastewater Using Adsorbents Developed from Rice Husk

The product after separating rice grains from the bran; rice husk, has high
potential to be developed as adsorbent to remove amine wastewater from gas processing
plant. Amine contributes to high chemical oxygen demand (COD) content. Raw rice
husk needs to be treated in order to enhance the absorbance capacity. The rationale of
the treatment process is to create and improve the active sites on the adsorbent. Three
types of treatment are applied; by physical, chemical or activating agent. In the
pretreatment phase, raw rice husk is washed using distilled water and dried at I 00°C for
24 hours to remove moisture. Physicochemical treatment is selected for developing the
adsorbent. First, rice husk are treated with different solution; sodium hydroxide (NaOH)
at 0.5M, zinc chloride (ZnCb) at O.oJ M and sulphuric acid (H2S04) at 1M. They are
soaked and stirred for 3 hours. Then, they are rinsed through distilled water till clean. In
the second step, they are burnt at temperature of 250 and 500°C for different hours.
Characterization of adsorbent is made after the treatment phase using Fourier transform
infrared (FTIR) and variable pressure field emission scanning electron microscope
(VPFESEM). Lastly, performances of developed adsorbents are tested using artificial
wastewater of monoetbanolamine (MEA) using continuous and batch process. Amine
concentration after adsorption process is analyzed by high-performance liquid
chromatography (HPLC) with retention time at 5.2 minute. From findings, vary
treatment processes could enhance the active sites on RH. Thus, the ability of RH
adsorbent to remove amine from industrial effluent is more effective.