Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.

) Husk and Shell as Low Cost Bio-absorbent for

Mine Water Treatment

DENNIS VON G. ITAAS

Carrascal National High School

RESEARCH PLAN

I. Problem being Addressed

The general problem of this study is to determine the efficiency of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.)
husk and shell derived products for removal of heavy metals, colour and turbidity in mine water.

II. Engineering Goals

This project will utilize Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell as an effective absorbent for
removal of heavy metals, colour and turbidity in mine water; particularly investigate the following
specific objectives, statement of the problem and null hypothesis:

A. Specific Objectives:

1. To determine the absorptive property of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell
in removing of heavy metals from mine water.

2. To determine the efficiency of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell to remove
turbidity and colour in mine water.

3. To determine the percentage removal of Pb (II) and Ni (II) ions in mine water using
Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell derived products while varying parameters of
adsorbent dose, initial concentrations and temperature.

B. Statement of the Problem:

1. Does Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell contain absorptive property in
removing heavy metals from mine water?

2. Does Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell efficiently remove turbidity and
colour in mine water?

3. Is there a significant difference between the percentage of absoption of Pb (II) and Ni

(II) ions in mine water using Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell derived products
considering absorbent dose, initial concentrations and temperature with the standard process?

C. Null Hypothesis:

H1: Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell does not contain absorptive property in
removing of heavy metals from mine water.

H2: Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell does not efficiently remove turbidity
and colour in mine water.
 H3: There is no significant difference between the percentage of absoption of Pb (II) and
Ni (II) ions in mine water using Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell derived products
considering absorbent dose, initial concentrations and temperature with the standard process.

III. Design of the Study

A. Variables to be tested:
1. Contaminant concentration in mine water samples.
2. Absorption property of Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell.

B. Materials:
1. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk (5 kg.)
2. Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) shell charcoal (1 kg.)
3. Mine Water (5 ltr.)
4. Ultra violet spectrometer
5. Turbidimeter
6. Weighing scale
7. Erlenmeyer flask
8. Plastic water bottle
9. Bamboo
10. Nails and Wood

IV. Procedure

A. Identification of the problem:

The main objective of the project is to reduce the cost of filtration of mine water by
utilizing Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell.

B. Collection of the data and raw materials:

The coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell will be collected from Tabon-tabon local
farmers. Immediately after collection, the coconut shell and husk will be washed thoroughly with
water, sun dried, cut into long and small pieces, and ground to powder and burnt in suitable
conditions to form activated charcoal.

C. Testing of sample of mine water:

Physical and chemical tests will be performed to determine the concentration of heavy
metals, colour, and turbidity that the mine water contains and results will be noted.

D. Preparing filter setup:

Coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell will be washed thoroughly and then dried for
one week. Then, coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell will be cut into longitudinal sections,
smaller sections, powdered form and charcoal will also be prepared. Further these different forms
of coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and shell will be arranged in a sequence in arranged manner.

E. Testing of mine water after passing through filter:

The filtrate will be subjected to several qualitative tests like the presence and
absence of heavy metals, colour and turbidity. Chemical tests will be conducted on Carrascal
Nickel Corporation chemistry laboratory to find out their presence or absence in the test material.
 F. Statistical Analysis of Data:
Data from the experiments will be analyzed using the Minitab 18 Statistical Software.
And for the statistical analysis of results, ANOVA (analysis of variance) will be performed.

V. Proper Waste Disposal

The mine water that has been filtrated and used in Carrascal Nickel Corporation chemistry
laboratory will be used for different purposes. The experimented coconut (Cocos nucifera L.) husk and
shell will be burned for fuel or separated for future use.

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