Result and discussion

Sand filtration

Bed Height VS COD Removal

COD removal (%) 100
80
60
40
20
0
0 5 10 15 20 25 30
Bed height (cm)

Figure @@: COD removal efficiency at different bed height of sand filter media.
Figure @@ shows line graph for percentage of COD removal at different sand bed height of
5cm, 10cm, 15cm, 20cm and 25cm. Bed height of 5 cm had the lowest percentage of COD
removal with 65.93%. The highest percentage of removal peaked at 10 cm height with removal
percentage of 91.76%. The short contact time between waste coolant and sand particles reduced
the time for adsorption process. The bed height and adsorption time is proportional to each
other where adsorption time provide higher contact for adsorption process (Heny Juniar,
Muhammad Said, Sri Haryati, and Muhammad Faizal, 2016). Hence, the higher the bed height,
the higher the percent removal. However, the percentage removal decreases with increasing
bed height based on Figure @@. This is due to breakthrough process that occur through out
the experiment. The rate of recreation site cannot overcome the rate of adsorption(Valenzuela,
D. and Myers, A. L.,1984). Hence, the removal performance decreases if continued without
treatment such as backwash.
Mathematical modelling
All the data were run in MATLAB software for curve fitting using three different adsorption
models. The models include Langmuir isotherm, Freundlich isotherm and Linear isotherm.
All the constants for each model were evaluated to compare the performance of all methods.
Table @@: Isotherm constants of different models at different COD removal methods.
Activated carbon @scale 1 Activated carbon @scale 2 Sand filter
Linear k = 0.009557 k = 0.01073 k = 0.0372
R2 = 0.3312 R2 = 0.4656 R2 =0.5529
Langmuir K = 9.827E5 K = 1.31E6 K = 3.273E5
Xm = 9398 Xm = 1.406E4 Xm = 1.218E4
R = 0.3311 R2 = 0.4654 R2 = 0.5527
Freundlich k = 4.887E-11 k =2.371E-11 k = 2.149E-11
n = 0.2589 n = 0.2515 n =0.2062
1/ = 3.8625 1/n = 3.9761 1/n = 4.8497
R2 = 0.5179 R2 = 0.9191 R2 = 0.9392

Based on Table @@ above, Freundlich isotherm shows a more favourable fitting. The value
of R-square for Freundlich isotherm has values close to 1. Comparing to Langmuir and Linear,
which barely reach 0.5. Hence, Freundlich isotherm was used to compare the constants.
Freundlich isotherm consists of two constants which is k and n. k is referred to adsorption
capacity meanwhile n can be referred as intensity of adsorption process. Therefore, from the
Table @@, using activated carbon with scale 1 yield the highest adsorption capacity of 4.887E-
11. Sand filter yields the least adsorption capacity of 2.149E-11. In terms of maximum
adsorption capacity, activated carbon at scale 1 is preferable for adsorption. However, 1/n,
intensity of adsorption, sand filter yields the highest which is 4.8497. The higher the intensity
of adsorption, the favourable for adsorption process increases(Valenzuela et al., 1984). Hence,
improves the efficiency of COD removal.
Conclusions
Two key parameters were being considered and observed in determining the performance of
COD removal in waste coolant using activated carbon and sand filtration. The key parameters
were COD removal efficiency and the intensity of adsorption. For removal efficiency,
_________ has the highest efficiency. Meanwhile, for intensity of adsorption, sand filtration
has the highest intensity.
The isotherm models for COD of waste coolant can be described by Freundlich isotherm.
This isotherm can be used to determine the scale up version of the method that has been
studied in this research.
Recommendations
There are a few recommendations that should be considered for future research:
1. A more distinct variables should be included such as temperature, pH and size of
particles to obtain a more accurate data to evaluate COD removal performance.
2. Backwash process needs to be done after a complete run to ensure there is no
breakthrough occurs that can affect the efficiency of COD removal.
References

Juniar, H., Said, M., Haryati, S., & Faizal, M. (2016). Removal of COD and TSS From Dye
Solution Using Sand Filtration and Adsorption. Indonesian Journal of Fundamental and
Applied Chemistry, 1(3), 67–71.

Valenzuela, D., & Myers, A. L. (1984). Gas adsorption equilibria. Separation & Purification
Reviews, 13(2), 153–183.