Evaluation of activated carbon obtained from banana rachis in the purification of water intended for human consumption

Abstract

The annual production of bananas in Ecuador generates 14% of rejection, leaves and stems can be used as raw material in the production of activated carbon aimed for the removal of certain organic components present in aqueous media and the elimination of odor and flavor in polluted water. In this work, activated carbon was synthesized from the rachis of Musa Paradisiaca Cavendish and it was evaluated as an adsorbent for methylene blue and contaminants present in deep well. The optimal variables in raw material particle size, carbonization temperature and carbonization time are presented. The quality of water for human consumption was evaluated calculating the ICA proposed by Brown and NSF, the efficiency of activated carbon as a filter bed was determined in the treatment of deep well. The results  indicate an increase in water quality index with a rating equivalent to good.