Calcium and Magnesium Adsorption by Activated Carbon Produced with Alternative Materials

Residues originated from agro-industry can be used for various purposes, including in the production of activated carbon. Thus, for the conduction of this research, an Activated Carbon (AC) was prepared with mixtures of grape bagasse (B) and coconut fiber (C), with the mass relations of coconut/bagasse of 100/0; 75/25; 50/50; 25/75 and 0/100. The 50C/50B considered statistically the most suitable for the production of CA was activated with ZnCl2, under N2 flow of 100 ml/min, at 550°C, for 1 hour. To evaluate its efficiency, 200.00 mg of AC were used in 200,0 ml of the desalinator tailing from the municipality of Riacho das Almas, Pernambuco, Brazil, with contact time of 30, 60, 120 and 180 minutes, in a statistical design entirely randomized. Data were subjected to statistical analysis, generating Box Plot type charts. The result of calcium and magnesium adsorption revealed the efficiency of activated carbon with a dose of 50C/50B when in contact for up to 60 minutes with desalinator tailing.