P. N. Palanisamy

Bio: P. N. Palanisamy is an academic researcher from Kongu Engineering College. The author has contributed to research in topics: Adsorption & Activated carbon. The author has an hindex of 16, co-authored 47 publications receiving 754 citations.

Preparation and characterization of activated carbon from Thevetia peruvianafor the removal of dyes from textile waste water

Abstract: Activated Carbon (TPAC) of high adsorption capacities and highly active surface properties were prepared from Thevetia peruviana by physical and chemical processes such as direct pyrolysis, dolomite process, Chemical activation with H2SO4 + H2O2, impregnation of raw material with Conc. H2SO4, KOH, ZnCl2 and H3PO4 solution respectively followed by activation at 800oC. Adsorption capacity of activated carbon is due to porous structure, chemical nature of the surface and pH of the aqueous solution. The physico chemical characteristics such as moisture content, volatile matter, pH, conductivity, bulk density, specific gravity, porosity, methylene blue number, iodine number and SEM were investigated to understand the adsorptive capacity of activated carbon prepared from TPAC. Based on the results of the characterization studies, the activated carbon prepared by impregnation of TPAC with H3PO4 (30%) solution followed by activation at 800oC was selected as a best quality adsorbent due to highest surface area with large number of pores and low ash content for the removal of dyes from textile industry effluent. The experimental results indicated that the prepared activated carbon is suitable for the removal of synthetic dyes from textile industry effluents.

Assessment of Underground Water Contamination and Effect of Textile Effluents on Noyyal River Basin In and Around Tiruppur Town, Tamilnadu

Abstract: A systematic study has been carried out to assess the underground water contamination and the effect of textile effluents on Noyyal River basin in and around Tiruppur Town. Twenty six sampling locations were selected at random and the ground water samples were collected mostly from tube wells at Noyyal River basin in and around Tiruppur area. The samples were analyzed for major physical and chemical water quality parameters like pH, alkalinity, electrical conductivity (EC), total dissolved solids (TDS), total hardness (TH), Ca, Mg, Na, K, Cl & SO42-. It was found that the underground water quality was contaminated at few sampling sites due to the industrial discharge of the effluents on to the river or land from the Tiruppur town. The sampling sites namely Orathupalayam, Karuvapalayam, Kulathupalayam, Uttukuli and Kodumanalpudur showed high deviations in total alkalinity, total hardness, Ca, Mg and chloride concentrations. Hence our study concludes that the underground water quality study in this region shows a constant variation in different parameters in different periods (before and after monsoon). So it is highly important to take periodical monitoring of the underground water quality in this region for our future sustainability

Photocatalytic and Sonophotocatalytic Degradation of Reactive Red 120 using Dye Sensitized TiO2 under Visible Light

Abstract: The accelerated sonophotocatalytic degradation of Reactive Red (RR) 120 dye under visible light using dye sensitized TiO2 activated by ultrasound has been carried out. The effect of sonolysis, photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis under visible light has been examined to study the influence on the degradation rates by varying the initial substrate concentration, pH and catalyst loading to ascertain the synergistic effect on the degradation techniques. Ultrasonic activation contributes degradation through cavitation leading to the splitting of H2O2 produced by both photocatalysis and sonolysis. This results in the formation of oxidative species, such as singlet oxygen (O2) and superoxide (O2) radicals in the presence of oxygen. The increase in the amount of reactive radical species which induce faster oxidation of the substrate and degradation of intermediates and also the deaggregation of the photocatalyst are responsible for the synergy observed under sonication. A comparative study of photocatalysis and sonophotocatalysis using TiO2, Hombikat UV 100 and ZnO was also carried out. Keywords—Photocatalysis, Reactive Red 120, Sonophotocatalysis, Sonolysis.

Agricultural bio-waste materials as potential sustainable precursors used for activated carbon production: A review

Abstract: A review on the preparation of the activated carbon from agricultural waste material is presented. The physical properties such as proximate and ultimate analysis of agricultural waste material were reviewed. The chemical compositions such as cellulose, hemicelluloses and lignin contents were also discussed. The effects of various parameters on the preparation such as carbonization and activation temperature, time, types of activating agents and impregnation ratio were reviewed. Various physical and chemical processes for the activation of the agricultural residues and their effects on the textural properties such as surface area and pore volume were discussed. The low cost, renewable and relatively less expensive of the agricultural waste were found to be efficiently being converted into wealth. The uses of activated carbon derived from agricultural residues in many fields were evidently proven in the review. The reaction kinetic modeling on the pyrolysis and activation of agricultural wastes were also reviewed.

A review on utilization of wood biomass as a sustainable precursor for activated carbon production and application

Abstract: Activated carbon has been an ideal material for the separation of a variety of chemical pollutants. Its extensive use is limited due to the cost of production, which has triggered the researches on the viable option for the non-conventional and cost-effective production. The application of biomass waste has been widely explored as an alternative to expensive methods of activated carbon production from coal. In this study, detailed list of production methods of activated carbon from wood biomass is presented systematically. The attempt has also been made to review the physical properties, such as ultimate and proximate analyses of wood biomass material. Further, the chemical compositions of wood, such as hemicelluloses, cellulose, and lignin are also dealt with. Finally, this review incorporates the existing research papers on wood-derived activated carbons to understand the influence of pyrolysis temperature, activation temperature, and effect of various physical and chemical activation conditions on the production, surface characteristics and adsorption behavior of activated carbons. The outcome of this study revealed that the activated carbons from wood biomass exhibit promising characteristics in terms of surface area, pore size and pore volume, surface functional groups, and surface entrapment behavior against various water soluble chemical toxicants.

Cellulosic substrates for removal of pollutants from aqueous systems: a review. 1. metals

Abstract: Dyes used in the coloration of textiles, paper, and other products are highly visible, sometimes toxic, and sometimes resistant to biological breakdown; thus it is important to minimize their release into aqueous environments. This review article considers how biosorption of dyes onto cellulose-related materials has the potential to address such concerns. Numerous publications have described how a variety of biomass-derived substrates can be used to absorb different classes of dyestuff from dilute aqueous solutions. Progress also has been achieved in understanding the thermodynamics, kinetics, and chemical factors that control the uptake of dyes. Important questions remain to be more fully investigated, such as those involving the full life-cycle of cellulosic substrates that are used for the collection of dyes. Also, more work needs to be done in order to establish whether biosorption should be implemented as a separate unit operation, or whether it ought to be integrated with other water treatment technologies, including the enzymatic breakdown of chromophores.