Use of Activated Charcoal Produced with Brewery Waste in Water Treatment
Alex Gabriel Rodrigues Martins, Emanuel Sampaio Silva, Arminda Saconi Messias

Abstract
Activated charcoal (AC) was prepared from mixtures of dry malt bagasse (DMB) and coconut dust in different coconut: malt weight ratios of 100/0; 75/25; 50/50; 25/75; 0/100. Each mixture was activated with ZnCl2 under a 100 mL/min influx at 550ºC during one hour. The characterization of AC was performed through moisture determination, volatile matter, ashes and calorific power. In order to assess efficacy, water from the well located in front of the Central Library of the Catholic University of Pernambuco – UNICAP, Recife, Pernambuco, Brazil was collected and 150 mg/L of AC was added to the samples. The samples were compared with three mL/L of aluminum sulfate (employed in Water Treatment Stations) in the same experimental conditions, using turbidity as parameter to compare the results. The data was submitted to statistical analysis, resulting in Box Plot graphics. The characterization result demonstrated that the 0/100 dose was the most indicated to produce activated charcoal. After the application in the water sample, 99% reduction in turbidity was achieved.

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