High-value product made from wood and non-wood agricultural waste

Abstract

Equipment (100) for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes, the equipment (100) comprising: a processing unit (102) configured to collect and process agricultural waste materials to obtain a base material; a chemical modification unit (104) which is operationally connected to the processing unit (102) and is configured to chemically modify the base material to change its surface chemistry; a physical modification unit (106) which is operationally connected to the chemical modification unit (104) and is configured to physically modify the chemically modified material in order to change its structural features; a drying and grinding device (108) configured to dry and grind the modified material to form an adsorbent; and an adsorption device (110) configured to bring the adsorbent into contact with dye-containing wastewater in order to remove the dye from it.

Description

AREA

[0001] The present invention relates to methods for wastewater treatment, in particular the modification of woody and non-woody agricultural waste materials as material for the removal of dyes. GENERAL STATE OF THE ART

[0002] Wastewater generated in the textile, paper, leather, and dye industries often contains acid, azo, reactive, and disperse dyes, which are difficult to degrade and remove. Conventional treatment technologies such as coagulation-flocculation, biodegradation, oxidation, membrane separation, ion exchange, and adsorption with commercially available activated carbon are typically employed. While these methods can reduce dye concentrations, they are often associated with high operating costs, secondary sludge generation, long treatment times, energy-intensive operation, and limited effectiveness for certain classes of dyes. Adsorption is a simple and adaptable technique in which contaminants adhere to solid surfaces through physical or chemical interactions, with performance largely dependent on the properties of the adsorbent. SUMMARY

[0003] The subject matter of the present invention is defined in the claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a sequential dye removal process using modified adsorbents from agricultural waste in seven different processing steps. Fig. Figure 2 illustrates a method for modifying agricultural waste with the respective dye removal efficiencies and parameters of the batch adsorption study. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0004] Conventional dye removal systems are associated with high operating costs, excessive sludge, energy-intensive processes, long treatment times, limited dye specificity, and difficulties in regeneration and disposal.

[0005] To address the aforementioned technical problems, the present invention provides a process-oriented solution for improving wastewater treatment efficiency by utilizing alternative adsorbents. The invention uses readily available woody and non-woody agricultural waste materials as a basis for dye adsorption, thereby addressing the challenges associated with high treatment costs, waste management, and sustainability. The process focuses on modifying agricultural waste materials to enhance the interaction between dye molecules and adsorbents, thus enabling the treatment of various dye categories commonly found in industrial wastewater. The solution helps reduce reliance on expensive commercial adsorbents and is adaptable to different wastewater conditions.Accordingly, the invention offers a scalable and resource-efficient approach to wastewater treatment that is compatible with existing industrial practices.

[0006] Fig. Figure 1 illustrates a process 100 for removing dyes from wastewater using modified adsorbents from agricultural waste in seven successive processing steps. In step 102, agricultural waste materials such as walnut shells, cotton bolls, and pineapple peels are collected based on their lignocellulose content and availability. In step 104, the materials are washed, dried, crushed, and sieved to obtain a uniform particle shape. In step 106, the processed agricultural waste is chemically modified by successive treatment with strontium hydroxide, ethylene dichloride, and methylamine to introduce dye-adsorbing functional groups. In step 108, physical modification by ultrasonic treatment is used to improve surface area and porosity.In step 110, the modified material is dried to a constant weight in a hot air oven and then milled in step 112 to produce fine adsorption powders. In step 114, the adsorption powders are brought into contact with dye-containing wastewater in a batch reactor under controlled conditions with respect to pH, temperature, contact time, and adsorbent dosage to remove acid dyes, azo dyes, and disperse dyes.

[0007] Fig.Figure 2 illustrates a comparative flowchart 200, depicting three modification pathways applied to pre-processed woody and non-woody agricultural waste to enhance dye adsorption characteristics. In step 202, selected agricultural waste is cleaned, dried, and pre-processed to obtain suitable adsorbent precursors. In step 204, the pre-processed materials undergo chemical modification using a strong base to alter the functional groups on the surface, resulting in a dye removal efficiency of approximately 80% to 85%. In step 206, physical modification is performed using ultrasonic treatment to improve the surface and pore structure, achieving a dye removal efficiency between 82% and 90%.In step 208, a sequential modification is performed, comprising a chemical treatment followed by a physical modification, resulting in synergistic effects and improved dye removal efficiencies in the range of 88% to 96%. In step 210, the performance of the modified adsorbents is evaluated by batch adsorption studies conducted in a reactor setup with a beaker placed on a digital hot plate or magnetic stirrer. The investigations are carried out under controlled conditions, including adsorbent dosages of 0.25 to 1.25 g / L, dye concentrations of 10 to 100 mg / L, temperatures between 40°C and 60°C, contact times of 6 to 60 minutes, and pH values ​​of 3 to 11. The figure illustrates the improved adsorption capacity, surface area, porosity, stability, and overall dye removal efficiency.

[0008] Although these are embodiments of the method for modifying woody and non-woody agricultural waste, it should be noted that the attached claims are not limited to the disclosed specific components or arrangements and that the described modules and configurations are provided only as illustrative examples for the modification of woody and non-woody agricultural waste.

Claims

[1] Equipment (100) for the treatment of wastewater containing dyes, the equipment (100) comprising: a processing unit (102) configured to collect and process agricultural waste materials to obtain a base material; a chemical modification unit (104) which is operationally connected to the processing unit (102) and is configured to chemically modify the base material to change its surface chemistry; a physical modification unit (106) which is operationally connected to the chemical modification unit (104) and is configured to physically modify the chemically modified material in order to change its structural features; a drying and grinding device (108) configured to dry and grind the modified material to form an adsorbent; and an adsorption device (110) configured to bring the adsorbent into contact with dye-containing wastewater in order to remove the dye from it. [2] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the chemical modification unit (104) is configured to treat the agricultural waste materials with one or more chemical agents to introduce surfactant functional groups. [3] Device (100) according to claim 1, wherein the physical modification unit (106) is configured to apply an energy-based treatment to increase the surface area and porosity of the agricultural waste materials.

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