Factorial design and optimization of pinecone seed powder as a natural coagulant for organic and heavy metals removal from industrial wastewater.

Various chemical coagulants have previously been used for wastewater treatment with substantial efficacy in eliminating heavy metals and other criteria. However, their economic effectiveness and the remnant of harmful chemical precipitates that pose hazards to human health and the environment. As a result, utilizing plant-based natural coagulants is seen as an alternative non-toxic, biodegradable, and ecologically beneficial strategy. This study aims to investigate the performance of pinecone seed powder as a natural coagulant in iron and steel factory wastewater treatment, as well as to optimize the operating parameters to determine the feasibility of employing pinecone seed powder in wastewater treatment. Using 0.6 g/200 mL pinecone as a controlling factor, pH, and settling time, the response surface methodology, a statistical experimental design was utilized to increase the chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammoniacal nitrogen (NH3–N), and heavy metals removal efficiency. COD, NH3–N, Fe, Mn, Ai, Cu, and Ni removal efficiencies at pH 8 were 76%, 44%, 88%, 93%, 87%, 50%, and 92%, respectively. Except for Fe (0.0170), Mn (0.0021), and Cu (0.001), the quadratic models for the parameters specified were determined to be significant with a low probability. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]