Removal of Bacteriological Contaminants from Household Wastewater Using Activated Carbon Derived from Sawdust

Abstract

The increasing concern over bacteriological contamination in household wastewater demands innovative and cost-effective treatment solutions. This study investigated the efficacy of sawdust activated carbon (SAC) as a means to eliminate bacterial contaminants from household wastewater. The sawdust was carbonized in a furnace under anaerobic conditions at 500°C for one hour, it was then activated using phosphoric acid (H₃PO₄). The surface morphology and pore structure of the resulting SAC were analyzed using Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The SEM image displayed a highly porous structure with many cavities and channels essential for adsorbing bacteriological contaminants. The XRD pattern revealed a prominent peak indicating a substantial presence of graphite, which enhances adsorption properties and is vital for removing contaminants from water. Batch adsorption experiments evaluated the removal efficiency of Escherichia coli (E.coli) and total coliform bacteria. The SAC doses tested were 5g, 10g, and 15g, combined with contact times of 30 minutes, 60 minutes, and 120 minutes. Results showed a significant reduction in bacterial counts, indicating that SAC is a viable material for decentralized wastewater treatment systems. Higher dosages and longer contact times significantly improved the reduction of E.coli and total coliforms, with the best results observed at a 15g dosage and a 120-minute contact time, achieving 96% reduction for E.coli and 93% reduction for total coliforms.