Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 7, 2026
10:44
Preparation of Biomass-based Mesoporous Carbon with Higher Nitrogen-/Oxygen-chelating Adsorption for Cu(II) Through Microwave Pre-Pyrolysis
Published on: February 12, 2019
MTBE adsorption on alternative adsorbents and packed bed adsorber performance
Alfred Rossner1, Detlef R U Knappe
1Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC 27695-7908, USA.
Water Research
|January 29, 2008
Summary
Silicalite zeolite and carbonaceous resin effectively remove methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) from drinking water. Silicalite zeolite offers a longer lifespan and better performance with natural organic matter than granular activated carbon (GAC).
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Water Treatment Technologies
- Adsorption Science
Background:
- Methyl tertiary-butyl ether (MTBE) is a common fuel additive detected in drinking water sources.
- Effective removal of MTBE is crucial for ensuring safe drinking water.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the efficacy of silicalite zeolite, carbonaceous resin, and granular activated carbon (GAC) for MTBE removal.
- To assess the impact of natural organic matter (NOM) on MTBE adsorption.
- To compare the adsorption performance and cost-effectiveness of different adsorbents.
Main Methods:
- Adsorption isotherm and short bed adsorber tests were performed in ultrapure and river water.
- Homogeneous surface diffusion model was used to predict MTBE breakthrough curves.
- Pilot tests were conducted to evaluate adsorbent performance under realistic conditions.
Main Results:
- Silicalite zeolite and carbonaceous resin showed higher MTBE adsorption capacities than GAC.
- GAC had the fastest intraparticle mass transfer rates, while carbonaceous resin had the slowest.
- Silicalite zeolite demonstrated a 5-6 times longer adsorber lifespan compared to GAC.
- NOM preloading did not negatively affect the MTBE removal efficiency of silicalite zeolite.
Conclusions:
- Silicalite zeolite and carbonaceous resin are promising alternatives to GAC for MTBE removal.
- Silicalite zeolite offers significant advantages in terms of adsorber longevity and performance in the presence of NOM.
- Silicalite zeolite may be regenerable with less energy-intensive methods, improving overall cost-effectiveness.
More Related Videos
Related Concept Videos
01:25Adsorption Isotherms II
Brunauer, Emmett, and Teller (BET) introduced a theory in 1938 that modified Langmuir's assumptions to explain multilayer physical adsorption. This theory is applicable to Type II isotherms and provides a more realistic picture of adsorption processes. The BET theory assumes a uniform solid surface with localized adsorption sites, where adsorption at one site doesn't affect adsorption at neighboring sites. This theory also allows for the possibility of additional molecules being adsorbed on top...
01:29Adsorption Isotherms I
Adsorption isotherms are mathematical models that describe how molecules in a gas or liquid phase interact with surfaces. Two of the most common isotherm models are the Langmuir and Freundlich isotherms, which relate to Type I monolayer chemisorption. The Langmuir model is based on four key assumptions:• Adsorption cannot exceed monolayer coverage.• All surface sites are equivalent.• Molecules adsorb only at vacant sites.• There are no interactions between adsorbed molecules.Consider the...
01:28Adsorption of Gases on Solids
Adsorption is a process where molecules, known as the adsorbates, accumulate on a surface, which is referred to as the adsorbent or substrate. Occurring at the solid-gas interface, this phenomenon is crucial in various scientific and industrial contexts. The reverse of adsorption is desorption.Two types of adsorptions exist: physical (physisorption) and chemical (chemisorption). Physisorption involves gas molecules held to the solid's surface by relatively weak intermolecular van der Waals...
01:09Analyte Adsorption and Distribution
In certain chromatographic separations, solutes transfer between the mobile phase and the stationary phase via sorption, which typically refers to the process of adsorption. For many chromatographic systems, the sorption process often depends on the polarity of the compounds—an expression of the overall dipole moment within the molecule. During the separation process, there is competition between the solute and solvent for adsorption to the stationary phase. Highly polar compounds and solvents...
01:22Heterogeneous Catalysis
Heterogeneous catalysis involves a catalyst in a different phase from the reactants. It is a process where the catalyst and the reactants are in distinct phases, typically solid and gas or liquid.Most heterogeneous catalysts are metals, metal oxides, or acids. The list includes transition metals like iron (Fe), cobalt (Co), nickel (Ni), palladium (Pd), platinum (Pt), chromium (Cr), manganese (Mn), tungsten (W), silver (Ag), and copper (Cu). These metals possess partially vacant d orbitals that...