Removal of Chromium from Textile Wastewater Utilizing Corncob Activated Carbon: The Case of MAA Garment

The increasing industrial use of chromium, particularly in the textile sector, presents significant environmental challenges due to the improper disposal of chromium-laden wastewater. This study explores the potential of corncob-derived activated carbon as an effective adsorbent for removing hexavalent chromium (Cr (VI)) from wastewater generated by the MAA Garment Textile Factory in Mekelle, Ethiopia. Corncobs were collected from nearby agricultural fields in Quiha, Mekelle. They were then crushed using an electric grinder to a particle size of less than 100 mesh, followed by carbonization in a furnace at a temperature of 500 ℃. A comprehensive analysis of corncob revealed a moisture content of 7.95%, volatile matter at 75.24%, and an elemental composition of 51.21% carbon, 5.49% hydrogen, 0.3% nitrogen, and 43% oxygen. The functional groups of the activated carbon, chemically activated with potassium hydroxide, were analyzed using FTIR spectroscopy. Experimental results demonstrated a remarkable chromium removal efficiency of 99.45% within 75 minutes at a pH of 6.5 and a dosage of 0.175 grams, with an equilibrium adsorption capacity of 7.67 mg/g. The adsorption characteristics were effectively modeled using the Langmuir isotherm, indicating a maximum adsorption capacity of 515.5 mg/g under optimal conditions, with both pseudo-second-order kinetics and Langmuir model (R² = 0.999) accurately describing the process. This research underscores the feasibility of utilizing agricultural waste for chromium recovery, contributing to environmental management and resource conservation while promoting sustainable industrial practices in Ethiopia and beyond. Future studies should focus on scaling these methods for broader application across various industries to enhance environmental sustainability.