Fixed-bed column sorption kinetic rates on the removal of both biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical oxygen demand (COD) in domestic greywater by using palm kernel activated carbon

Abstract The increasing organic loads, specifically biochemical oxygen demand (BOD5) and chemical (COD), in water bodies has necessitated greywater treatment before disposal. Limited studies have explored sorption kinetics of BOD5 COD removal using activated carbon from palm kernel shell fixed-bed columns. This study investigated continuous removing domestic greywater. had a density 0.46 g cm−3 surface area 584 m2 g−1. experiment was conducted 37 cm high, 2.5 diameter Perspex column, with varying flowrates 5–15 mL min−1, bed depths 10, 15, 20 cm. Greywater concentration 251 mg L−1 421 used for this study. Effluent collected at specified time intervals, analyzed COD, fitted to the Thomas, Yoon–Nelson, Adams–Bohart, Bed Depth Service Time (BDST) models. Yoon–Nelson model exhibited good agreement, as compared Thomas BDST while Adams–Bohart showed lower fit. adsorbent demonstrated capacities 34 g−1 56 suggesting its potential treatment, particularly removal.