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Competitive adsorption of phenolic compounds from aqueous solution using sludge-based activated carbon
E F Mohamed1, C Andriantsiferana, A M Wilhelm
1Laboratory of Chemical Engineering, ENSIACET-INPT, University of Toulouse, 4 allée Emile MONSO - BP 44362- 31030, Toulouse Cedex 4, France.
Environmental Technology
|October 6, 2011
Summary
Activated carbon from sewage sludge effectively removes phenols from water. Its adsorption performance depends on porosity, surface chemistry, and adsorbate properties, offering a sustainable solution for wastewater treatment.
Area of Science:
- Environmental Chemistry
- Materials Science
- Water Treatment
Background:
- Sewage sludge disposal presents environmental challenges.
- Activated carbon is an effective adsorbent for pollutants.
- Developing low-cost adsorbents from waste materials is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To characterize sludge-based activated carbon (SBAC).
- To evaluate SBAC's performance in removing phenols from aqueous solutions.
- To compare SBAC with commercial activated carbons.
Main Methods:
- Physical and chemical characterization of SBAC (BET surface area, elemental content, functional groups, thermogravimetric analysis).
- Single and competitive adsorption experiments with four substituted phenols.
- Adsorption isotherm modeling using Langmuir, Freundlich, and Langmuir-Freundlich models.
Main Results:
- SBAC exhibited moderate surface area but significant phenol adsorption capacity.
- Adsorption was influenced by carbon porosity, surface chemistry, and adsorbate hydrophobicity/electronegativity.
- Adsorption order in multi-solute systems: p-nitrophenol > p-chlorophenol > PHBA > phenol.
- Langmuir-Freundlich model accurately described multi-component adsorption.
Conclusions:
- SBAC is a viable, cost-effective adsorbent for phenol removal.
- Surface properties and adsorbate characteristics are key factors in adsorption efficiency.
- This approach offers a dual benefit of waste management and water purification.
