Valorization of sugarcane bagasse waste for fly ash production and application as an adsorbent

In this study, fly ash (FA) was derived from extracted sugarcane bagasse solid waste (ESBSW) and chemically modified to apply as an adsorbent. Impact of activated FA particles (200 and 250 µm) and adsorbent bed height (4, 6 and 8 mm) on pollutant removal efficiency was evaluated. ESBSW was combusted in laboratory-scale gasifier operated at 1000 °C for 1 h. The black solid residue was sieved to obtain the desired particle size followed by activation with 10% and 15% sulfuric acid. Wastewater samples collected from the drainage site of BUITEMS were analyzed and treated with the prepared adsorbent. ESBSW-FA 250 activated with 15% H 2 SO 4 with 8 mm bed height showed high efficiency. Where, 94.37%, 95.1% and 63.5% removal efficiency of chemical oxygen demand (COD), total solids (TS) and turbidity was attained, respectively. The pH of treated water was neutral. ESBSW has shown great potential to be used as a precursor for valuable byproducts. It's recycling for adsorbent preparation will economically and environmentally benefit the sugar industry.