Solvent Extraction and Adsorption Technique for the Treatment of Pesticide Effluent

Solvent extraction and adsorption techniques are effective methods for the removal of pesticides like DDT and Dicofol from the waste water. Study was conducted using 3 different solvents- Ethylene dichloride (EDC), Monochlorobenzene (MCB) and Hexane to optimise parameters like effluent to solvent ratio, agitation speed, agitation time and settling time to attain maximum removal of pesticides by solvent extraction process. MCB was found to be the best solvent when compared to other two solvents using the optimised parameters. The activated carbon (8 x30) is an effective adsorbent for the removal of DDT and Dicofol. The material have good adsorptive capacity and follows Freundlich model. The optimum adsorbent dose was observed as 2 gm/100ml and optimum contact time needed to reach the equilibrium was observed as 3 hr. Column study was conducted with the synthetic effluent after solvent extraction. Combination of solvent extraction process and adsorption technique was very effective for the removal of Dicofol and DDT with an efficiency of 99 % and 97 % respectively.