TREATMENT OF WASTEWATER GENERATED FROM AUTOMOBILE SERVICE STATIONS USING CORN COB AS ADSORBENT.

Automobile wastewater is one among the heavily contaminated wastewater consisting of harmful elements such as surfactants, oil and grease, dust particles, and various dissolved and suspended solids. In this study, car wash water from an automobile wash center in Chennai, Tamil Nadu was collected and treated with waste from corn crops that is inedible. The increase in automobile industries and similar wash centers is contributing to environmental contamination. Due to the low cost and availability, the efficiency of removal of pollutants, and since it promotes environmental sustainability, natural materials are adopted more than chemicals. The study adopted using a column adsorption process and it showed good results in the physiochemical characteristics where it has adsorbed oil and grease, TDS, and TSS. Oil and grease removal by 71.4% was observed whereas the biochar was found to be effective with an 89% reduction in total dissolved solids and more than 50% decrease in parameters such as TSS, COD, conductivity, oil and grease, and total alkalinity. The adsorption isotherm was studied with varying particle size and bed height along with the comparison of removal efficiency of various parameters in this experimental investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]