Synthesis of Bio-Adsorbent for Removal of Fluoride from Groundwater – A Column Study

Abstract

High fluoride levels in ground water used for drinking have caused health concerns for millions of people across the world. Pakistan is one of the countries that have been contaminated by these toxins. However, a little amount of fluoride is required for tooth and bone strength. In any event, the presence of too much of it in drinking water can cause diseases in both people and animals. This study is focused on the synthesis of bio-adsorbent bone char to adsorbent for the removal of fluoride from groundwater obtained from Islamkot district Tharparkar. The bone char was synthesized by pyrolysis of used cow bones at temperature 550◦C. The fluoride removal efficiency of bone char was optimized. The impacts of different operating parameters such as flow rates (5mL/min, 10mL/min and 15mL/min), bed height of adsorbent (2cm, 4cm and 6cm), initial fluoride concentration 7.85 mg/L, and contact time (30min, 60min, and 90min) were studied. The removal efficiency was enhanced by increasing the adsorbent bed height and decreasing contact time, and flow rate. With an initial concentration of fluoride 7.85mg/L, the maximum removal efficiency of 90.2% was obtained when the adsorbent bed height, flow rate and contact time were optimized to 6 cm, 5 mL/min and 30min, respectively. The finding showed that bone char can be used as an eco-friendly, inexpensive, and efficient adsorbent for removing fluoride from groundwater.