Removal ofHeavy Metal byPandanus Amaryllifolius Roxbi Effect ofDrying and Pretreatment

Heavy metals are introduced into the environment through electroplating and finishing
operations, mining and ore processing operations, thermal power generation plant and
disposal of industrial processes. Since these heavy metals can adversely impact our
health, it has to be separated and eliminated. Various techniques have been used to
remove these heavy metals such as excavation and reburial in landfills, as well as using
biomass.
The objectives ofthis research project are to study the effect ofdrying and pretreatment
of biomass towards removal of heavy metals from waste water. Pandanus
Amaryllifolius Roxb (Pandan leaves) is used as adsorbent in this adsorption in fixed bed
experiment. Two different wastewater solutions containing either lead or copper is used
as simulated wastewater for treatment.
In the effect of drying, various drying techniques have been performed to study the
effect of moisture content in the biomass towards the heavy metal removal. The
biomasses were dried at three different temperatures of 50°C, 80°C and 120°C for 24
hours. In the effect of pretreatment, two different solutions, hydrochloric acid and
sodium hydroxide have been used to wash the biomass prior to adsorption. Biomass
which hasdifferent pHwill give different adsorption result
The ion concentration of the metal in samples is examined through the Atomic
Absorption Spectrophotometer (AAS). The result of each experiment was categorized
into three parts which is ion uptake by biomass, percentage removal of ion from
solution and ion concentration for each sample. The moisture content of the dried
Pandanus Amaryllifolius Roxb is tested by using the moisture content analyzer.