Study of Adsorption and Desorption of Industrial Pollutant Unto Activated Carbon

• Main Author: Adesine, Hestie Leonie
• Format: Final Year Project
• Language: English
• Published: Universiti Teknologi Petronas 2004
• Subjects: TP Chemical technology
• Online Access: http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/8688/1/2004%20-%20Study%20of%20Adsorption%20and%20Desorption%20Industrial%20Pollutant%20Unto%20Activated%20Carbon.pdf; http://utpedia.utp.edu.my/8688/

The main objective of this research is to study the factor that influence adsorption and desorption of phenol unto activated carbons on types of activated carbon used (granular and powered activated carbon). Activated carbons are commonly used for the removal of pollutants from waste effluents. The adsorption onto activated carbons from water is a complex process, influenced by the activated carbon surface structure and chemistry, and the adsorbate structure, i.e. charge, polarity, size and shape. It is therefore necessary to analyse the factors, which influence the adsorption and desorption onto activated carbons e.g. types ofactivated carbons and adsorbates, ionic strength, surface charge, pH etc. In the scope of study, this study is very feasible as the experiments that going to be conducted can be done. This is because ofthe equipments and materials related to the study are available in the laboratories. Methodology will be consisting of literature review, laboratory work, analysis of laboratory result and documentation. Experimental works will include the 24 hrs adsorption ofactivated carbons in various phenol solution, and 3 days desorption of activated carbons in 0.5M NaOH. All experimental works had been successfully conducted. Based on the correlation coefficient, r2, the best fit isotherm for adsorption is Langmuir isotherm, and the best fit for desorption is Freudlich isotherm. The types of activated carbon do affect the adsorption and desorption capacities. Where, powdered activated carbon (PAC) has higher volume of mesopores than granular activated carbon (GAC), will has higher adsorption capacities compare to GAC. The experimental results do not tally with the theoretical result due to the other control factor that influences the adsorption capacities, such as the polarity, surface charge and size. For desorption, GAC has higher desorption capacities compare to PAC. This can be explained by the large surface area ofpores in GAC. It is recommended that a further study on the functional group attraction to the activated carbon in desorption to be conducted in the future. This in order to obtain a better results and explanation compare to the one conducted in this study. As the conclusion, all of the research objectives had been achieved.