Abstract:
Paddy husk is one of the biomass raw materials and byproducts of the rice production and processing industry. It
is very much abundant in Sri Lanka, which is readily available as an energy source. Paddy husk contains silica as
a special characteristic component. Application of paddy husk is novel in Sri Lanka. Though it has perceived
implications, the process may impose limitations in its application. Appropriate knowledge of the functional
properties of paddy husk is required for applying them in thermochemical conversion processes like pyrolysis.
The ultimate objective of this study is to identify the effectiveness of wastewater treatment using biochar, derived
from H2O2-treated paddy husk. The changes in functional properties: moisture content, proximate analysis, true
density, bulk density, and porosity of paddy husks, before and after H2O2 treatment were evaluated in this study.
Two main variables: concentration of H2O2 and treatment temperature, were considered. The H2O2 treatment
method was investigated to remove the lignin distributed in the lignocellulosic matrix of paddy husk. The results
obtained from this experimental study showed that there was a significant difference in the functional properties
of the paddy husk after H2O2 treatment. The biosorbent adsorption process is the finest treatment method, for the
removal of methylene blue dye. The use of H2O2-treated paddy husk bio sorbent as an alternative cost-effective
adsorbent in the removal of methylene blue has been extensively studied and compiled. Biochar as a firm
carbonaceous material shows reasonable potential to oversee wastewater contaminants, due to induced pore
spaces that are responsible for the removal of contaminants.
