Performance Evaluation of a Trickling Filter System Using Modified Palm Fruit Fiber for the Removal of Ciprofloxacin

Abstract

The persistence of pharmaceutical pollutants particularly ciprofloxacin (CIP) in wastewater poses severe environmental and health challenges. The study explores the performance of a trickling filter (TF) system utilizing modified palm fruit fiber (MPFF) as a low-cost and biodegradation packing material for the removal of ciprofloxacin.). The modified palm fruit fiber was prepared through alkaline to enhance adsorption properties and microbial colonization. Characterization techniques: Fourier transform infrared (FTIR), Scanning electron microscopy (SEM), X-ray fluorescence (XRF)and Thermo-gravimetric analysis (TGA) determines the functional groups, the surface morphology, the elemental composition and the thermal stability of the modified palm fruit fiber respectively. Batch biodegradation was done to determine the effects of contact time, concentration and flow rate in which the optimum percentage removal of 97% was obtained at 9.3hr, 2.6m3/hr and 131.8mg/L. The biodegradation isotherms and kinetics were better fitted with Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models respectively. Under optimized conditions, the experimental percentage removal efficiencies for TSS, TDS and BOD were 83.5%, 47.3% and 32.6% respectively. The biodegradation isotherms and kinetics were better fitted with Langmuir and pseudo-second-order models respectively. The findings demonstrate the potential of modified palm fruit fiber as an environmental friendly alternative to synthetic media in treating pharmaceutical wastewater.