Development of a Natural Fiber Sand–Carbon Composite Filter Using Agave sisalana for Sustainable Domestic Sewage Treatment

Year : 2025 | Volume : 13 | Special Issue 06 | Page : 43 51
    By

    Vignesh M.,

  • Muhammed Aamir Suhail,

  • Manikandan C.,

  • Narendran M.S.,

  • Sarath B.,

  • Dinesh S.,

  1. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  2. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  3. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  4. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  5. Student, Department of Civil Engineering, Karpagam Academy of Higher Education, Coimbatore, Tamil Nadu, India
  6. Assistant Professor, Department of Mechanical Engineering, Dhanalakshmi College of Engineering, Chennai, Tamil Nadu, India

Abstract

This study presents an innovative approach to decentralized domestic sewage treatment by integrating Agave sisalana fibers as the core functional component within a composite filtration system. The filtration column was constructed using a vertical 1:3:1 layered configuration comprising silica sand (top), Agave sisalana fibers (middle), and activated carbon (bottom). Comprehensive experimental analyses were conducted to evaluate the system’s efficacy in removing key water quality parameters, including turbidity, total solids (TS), total suspended solids (TSS), biochemical oxygen demand (BOD), chemical oxygen demand (COD), total nitrogen (TN), and total phosphorus (TP). The results demonstrated high removal efficiencies: 68% turbidity, 64% TS, 72% BOD, 71% COD, 60% TN, and 58% TP, with the effluent values meeting or approaching discharge standards. The novelty of this work lies in the valorization of Agave sisalana, an abundantly available but underutilized lignocellulosic agro-waste, as a biodegradable filter medium with both physical entrapment and adsorption mechanisms. Unlike conventional filtration systems that rely on synthetic materials or chemical coagulants, this gravity-driven, energy-free design offers a sustainable and low-cost alternative suitable for rural and off-grid communities. This research advances the field of green polymer composites in environmental applications, aligning with circular economy principles and UN SDG 6—Clean Water and Sanitation.

Keywords: Agave sisalana, Natural fiber composite, Domestic wastewater treatment, Sustainable filtration.

[This article belongs to Special Issue under section in Journal of Polymer and Composites (jopc)]

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How to cite this article:
Vignesh M., Muhammed Aamir Suhail, Manikandan C., Narendran M.S., Sarath B., Dinesh S.. Development of a Natural Fiber Sand–Carbon Composite Filter Using Agave sisalana for Sustainable Domestic Sewage Treatment. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(06):43-51.
How to cite this URL:
Vignesh M., Muhammed Aamir Suhail, Manikandan C., Narendran M.S., Sarath B., Dinesh S.. Development of a Natural Fiber Sand–Carbon Composite Filter Using Agave sisalana for Sustainable Domestic Sewage Treatment. Journal of Polymer and Composites. 2025; 13(06):43-51. Available from: https://journals.stmjournals.com/jopc/article=2025/view=230520


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Special Issue Subscription Original Research
Volume 13
Special Issue 06
Received 24/05/2025
Accepted 22/07/2025
Published 04/09/2025
Publication Time 103 Days
140

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