Indian Journal of Chemical Technology, Vol.4, No.2, 77-82, 1997
Protein removal from salt-laden wastewater by activated carbon
One of the wastewaters from tanning industry (soak liquor) contains 0.4 g/L of dissolved protein. During coagulation and flocculation 41% of protein was removed. A suggestion has been made to remove the residual protein by adsorption technique. The optimum conditions for adsorption of Bovine Serum Albumin (BSA) on rice bran based activated carbon (RBAC) were arrived. Maximum adsorption of BSA took place at pH 7. Ionic strength influenced the adsorption behaviour. Adsorption capacity of BSA on to charcoal surface decreased with increase in temperature. Enthalpy of adsorption in all cases indicate exothermic nature of the process. Applicability of adsorption technique to the removal of dissolved protein from soak water has been studied. The maximum removal of protein occurred at pH 7 and the, ratio of protein removed to weight of adsorbent was 3.22 x 10(-3).