HEAVY METAL REMOVAL FROM INDUSTRIAL WASTEWATER USING PINECONE SEED POWDER AND ALUMINUM CHLORIDE-BASED HYBRID NATURAL/CHEMICAL COAGULATION

Abstract

This study presents an innovative strategy that combines Pinecone Seed powder (PSP) with aluminum chloride (AlCl3) to remove heavy metals from industrial wastewater. The objective was to fine-tune the utilization of PSP and AlCl3, considering their quantities and the pH level, to ascertain the optimal conditions for the removal of heavy metal. The results show that a PSP/AlCl3 dose ratio of 3:1 (g/g) was the best, yielding outstanding remediation efficiency across a wide range of parameters, including COD, color, TSS, NH3-N, and heavy metals. Significantly, these efficiencies soared to 86.47%, 91.85%, 99.00%, 93.62%, 93.36%, 98.49%, 92.17%, 73.68%, and 93.3%, respectively, while maintaining a pH of 8. Interestingly, the investigation identified that refining the pH level led to extraordinary efficiency enhancements, notably obviating the necessity for pH adjustment. At pH 8, the removal efficiencies stood as follows: 86.78% for COD, 91.55% for color, 99% for TSS, 93.28% for NH3-N, 98.52% for Mn, 95.15% for Fe, 89.42% for Zn, 99.00% for Al, and 92.53% for Ni. This inquiry underscores the effectiveness and sustainability of the amalgamated PSP/AlCl3 coagulation technique for heavy metal removal from industrial wastewater. Extensive exploration remains imperative to gauge its scalability and potential constraints in full-scale implementation. © 2025 Elsevier B.V., All rights reserved.