CHARACTERISATION OF Moringa Oleifera FOR PURIFICATION OF TREATED WATER SLUDGE

Abstract

Proper disposal of treated water sludge is one of the main challenges water treatment Plants are facing globally. This entails disposing of sludge in such a way that it will not be harmful to the environment due to the chemicals used during the treatment of the water. The disposal of sludge conditioned by chemical polymers has an adverse effect on health and the environment. The use of natural polymers (such as wool polymer) has been explored to reduce adverse effects that come from chemical polymers (polyurethane). Elemental compositions of Moringa Oleifera were distinctive using ultimate analysis, proximate Analysis, Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy, and energy-dispersive X-ray fluoresce. Characterization was done to examine the composition, functional characteristics, and physico-chemical properties of moringa oleifera . The proximate result showed that Moringa oleifera contains 36.34% of crude lipids, 3.78% of moisture,4.08% of Ash, 4.70% of crude fibre, 29.56% of crude protein, and 21.54% of carbohydrate. The ultimate result showed that carbon contains 45.86% and hydrogen has 1.96%. FTIR Spectrum of Moringa Oleifera showed C≡N(carbon-nitrogen) C=N and S-S (Sulphur-Sulphur) stretching bond. FT-IR spectra showed the presence of protein and lipids components. The FTIR Spectrum of the dry sludge showed many vibrations indicating some functional groups like N-H in Amides, alcohols and amines O-H, (Oxygen-hydrogen) C≡C bond C=N, C-H(Carbon -Hydrogen)O-CH3, P-N-C, C-H in aldehydes and acids C=O in Carboxylic acids, and S-S bond ED-XRF showed the elemental composition of Moringa Oleifera; 0.018% Fe, 0.001% Cu, 0.003% Al 9.00%, 0.038% Mg etc. and that of the dry sludge as 9.22%, Fe₂O₃, 0.572% CuO, 9.63% Aluminum oxide, 29.96% Silicon Oxide, 2.57% magnesium oxide. Turbidity of the treated sample was reduced to the level of Nigerian standard (5NTU). Moringa Oleifera was discovered to be a viable and affordable alternative for conditioning of water treatment sludge.