Optimization of preparation conditions of sugarcane bagasse activated carbon via microwave-induced KOH activation for stabilized landfill leachate remediation

Adsorption via activated carbon has been testified as an effective way for removing high molecular weight refractory organic compounds from old landfill leachate which is hard to be treated biologically. The present work reveals the preparation and optimization of sugarcane bagasse-based activated carbon (SCAC) by microwave-induced KOH activation for the adsorptive treatment of organic and inorganic contaminants from the mature anaerobic landfill leachate using response surface methodology technique. The effects of variable parameters in SCAC preparation including activation power, activation time and KOH impregnation were studied. Based on the central composite design, the quadratic model was employed in order to correlate the effect of variable parameters in SCAC preparation on adsorptive removal of pollutants. The achieved removal efficiencies of color, COD and ammonia were 97.83, 88.14 and 47.25 %, based on optimum conditions of SCAC at 550 W of activation power, 7 min of activation time and 1.55 of impregnation ratios. The experimental results showed the capability of SCAC prepared via microwave-induced KOH activation in the treatment of stabilized landfill leachate.