Nova Risdiyanto Ismail, Silviana, Sabar Setiawidayat, Purbo Suwandono
The availability of drinking water is a global concern today. A source of potable water is seawater processed using a distillation method utilising a solar still. Currently, seawater includes significant concentrations of heavy metals, including arsenic and lead, necessitating the absorption process. This study investigated the absorption of heavy metals from seawater with activated carbon derived from Caesalpinia sappan wood. The application of activators in the production of activated carbon influences both pore dimensions and the efficacy of the adsorption process. This investigation utilized 1 gram of ZnCl2, CaCl2, and Na2 CO3 as activators. Activated carbon was introduced into the solar still to a depth of 1 cm. The properties of activated carbon were evaluated using Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) and Scanning Electron Microscope (SEM) techniques. The salt test outcomes of the heavy metal absorption procedure were analyzed using XRF. The findings indicated that the activated carbon activated with ZnCl2 exhibits superior pore properties and demonstrates the highest capacity for heavy metal absorption relative to other activators. The use of ZnCl2 as an activator for activated carbon resulted in the maximum production (3.5 L/m2 /day) and efficiency (58%) in solar stills by optimizing porosity, thermal conductivity, and interaction with marine salts. Furthermore, ZnCl2-activated carbon demonstrated an increased surface area and improved adsorption ability, significantly diminishing arsenic and lead levels. The parameters for the practical application of the results indicate that this technology is suitable for coastal and arid areas where saltwater desalination is crucial. This method can be applied in small-scale, off-grid water filtration systems, particularly in isolated populations with restricted access to potable water. © The Author(s) 2025.
Department of Mechanical Engineering, Universitas Widyagama Malang, 35 Borobudur Road, East Java, Malang, 65142, Indonesia; Department of Industrial Engineering, Universitas Widyagama Malang, 35 Borobudur Road, East Java, Malang, 65142, Indonesia; Department of Electrical Engineering, Universitas Widyagama Malang, 35 Borobudur Road, East Java, Malang, 65142, Indonesia
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